Duncan, B.C. - Maude Barlow, chairperson of the Council of Canadians, will speak to the importance of protecting public water at the Water is a Human Right - Water Warriors for Life conference on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at the Quw’utsun Cultural and Conference Centre, Duncan.
The conference is co-sponsored by CUPE Island Water Watch , the Halalt First Nation and the Council of Canadians.
Chief James Thomas of the Halalt First Nation says, “We want to bring attention to the issue of water to the Halalt people and to our neighbours in the region. We recognize that to protect our water for our great, great, grandchildren we have to be informed and conscious about the decisions we make in the present.”
The conference will strengthen the already robust movement across Vancouver Island opposing water privatization giants vying for access to public water systems. “We are working together with all communities including First Nations to highlight the companies that are actively seeking to remove local control of our water,” says Rodger Oakley of the Island Water Watch Campaign.
Other conference speakers will include Louise Mandel Q.C., Ardith Walkem from EAGLE, Chief Gary John from the Seaton Lake Band and Susan Howatt from the Council of Canadians.
Following the Halalt conference, Barlow will open Victoria’s Water in the City Conference at a public speaking event on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at the Farquhar (also known as University Centre) Auditorium on the UVic campus in Victoria. Both CUPE BC and CUPE Island Water Watch are sponsors of Water in the City.
Roseanne Moran
CUPE National Communications Representative
604-291-1940, ext. 240