Toronto bans bottled water!

We are thrilled to share with you the news that the City of Toronto (the 4th biggest city in North America) yesterday banned the sale and provision of bottled water on city property and voted to re-invest in public water services! See press release below.

The vote was the culmination of months of advocacy and public pressure from community groups, environmental groups and labour allies. In the face of extensive (and costly) corporate industry lobbying, Toronto City Councillors made the right choice.

At the Polaris Institute, we want to thank all of you for your contribution to this precedent setting vote. Many of you took action by calling councillors, forwarding action alerts and writing letters to Toronto councillors.

Thank you!

From the Polaris Water Team,

Tony Clarke, Joe Cressy, Richard Girard, Zoe Maggio

For Immediate Release

3 December 2008

Toronto Bans Bottled Water!

Toronto becomes the largest municipality in the world to ban bottled water

Toronto – Toronto City Council voted yesterday to ban the sale and provision of bottled water in city facilities and ensure access to public tap water in all city facilities. Toronto is now the largest municipality in the world to ban bottled water.

“Toronto’s decision to ban the bottle and turn on the tap sends a clear message that bottled water’s 15 minutes are up, the marketing scam is out of the closet, and it’s time to go back to the tap,” says Joe Cressy, Campaigns Coordinator for the Polaris Institute.

Bottled Water Bans in Canada:

-17 municipalities from 5 provinces have banned the bottle.

-45 municipalities are planning restrictions on bottled water.

-Canada’s Parliament is currently considering a ban on bottled water at the Parliament Buildings

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For more information contact:

Joe Cressy, Polaris Institute, 613-237-1717 x102, joecressy@polarisinstitute.org [1]