Water

Water is a precious resource and a vital public service. Public drinking water and wastewater services are human rights, and the lifeblood of healthy communities. We’re all better off with publicly owned and operated water services.

Governments must oversee water in the public interest and not trade, sell, or export it. Privatization through public-private partnerships or contracting out puts water services at risk. Communities, not corporations, must control public water and wastewater services.

CUPE works with community partners locally and globally to stop privatization and safeguard water sources and services from underfunding, pollution, climate change and scarcity. Together, let’s keep our water and wastewater systems strong and public.

Water is life

CUPE’s Water is life campaign raises awareness about the ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples, and shows how CUPE members can listen, learn and act.

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Asking the right questions: A guide for municipalities considering P3s

This newly-updated second edition of Asking the right questions is co-authored by the late John Loxley and his son, researcher Salim Loxley.

The guide reviews the latest evidence and experiences from across Canada and around the world, taking a critical look at the case for and against using public-private partnerships (P3s) for municipal infrastructure. This online text is adapted from the print version of the guide.

Through a series of questions, the authors outline the problems that accompany infrastructure and service privatization, and highlight the value of keeping vital assets and services public.

Read the guide