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WINNIPEGWater our provinces most precious resource and what we should be doing to protect it is the focus for the first Water Watch conference to be held in Winnipeg on April 6 and 7th.

Water is a public trust. All of us have the right and the responsibility to be involved in major decisions affecting water quality and security, said Glen Koroluk of Winnipegs Water Watch coalition, host for the event. We need to know what the issues are and whats going on. Thats what this conference is all about - bringing expert, knowledgeable people together to raise public awareness.

Tomorrow is World Water Day and around the world activists are raising the alarm about the growing global crisis on water issues. Winnipegs conference will bring together experts and activists in four workshops: The State of Lake Winnipeg, Water Quality Surface and Groundwater, Water Exports and Trade, and Privatization of Water and Wastewater Services.

Paul Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba and Local 500, said the conference aim is to inform public discussion as well as promote government action.

The Walkerton disaster was a wake-up call for everyone in Canada and especially for governments at all levels, Moist said. Profit and trade considerations need to take a back seat when it comes to ensuring that our vital water supplies, lakes and rivers are protected. We are not immune from the effects of far-reaching decisions and corporate deals struck in other countries.

Winnipeg Water Watch is a coalition of community groups and individuals concerned about water issues. The group has produced a primer booklet on Manitoba water issues and copies are available from the committee.

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Glen Koroluk, Water Watch Committee
Phone: 224-0915

Paul Moist, President
CUPE Manitoba and Local 500
Cell: 981-2873; Office: 942-1001

On the Water Front Conference
Crossways In Common
222 Furby Street (at Broadway)
Winnipeg

Friday, April 6, 2001
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Open public forum
Presentations by: MP Bill Blaikie, CUPE Manitoba President Paul Moist and Elizabeth May, Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada

and

Saturday, April 7, 2001
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Workshops:

  • Privatization of Water and Wastewater

    • Dick Menon, General Manager, Manitoba Water Services Board

    • John Loxley, Department of Economics, University of Manitoba

    • Ron Crawley, Senior Research Officer, CUPE

    • Tom Pearson, Manager of Water Services, City of Winnipeg

  • Water Exports and Trade

    • Marcus Buchart, Leader, Green Party of Manitoba

    • Robert Altemeyer, Community Activist, Council of Canadians

    • Al Barber, Director, Research & Economics Branch, Industry & Trade & Mines, Manitoba

  • Water Quality Surface and Groundwater

    • Dr. Eva Pip, Biology Department, University of Winnipeg

    • Dr. Bill Paton, Biologist, Coordinator of Agriculture Program, Brandon University

    • Dwight Williamson, Manager, Water Quality Section, Manitoba Conservation

  • The State of Lake Winnipeg

    • Dr. Michael Stainton, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada

    • Wesley Moneyas, Fisherman, Hollow Water First Nation

    • Harold Taylor, Co-Coordinator, The International Coalition for Stewardship

For more information, contact Glen Koroluk, Conference Coordinator at 224-0915

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