For Immediate Release, September 16, 2009, HALIFAX – Halifax Regional Municipality has voted to immediately phase out the purchase and provision of bottled water in City Hall and ensure access to public tap water in all HRM facilities.
Regional Council also asked staff to come forward with detailed action plans before banning bottled water within all HRM facilities.
“Halifax’s decision to ban the bottle and turn on the tap is an important first step and a clear indication that bottled water’s 15 minutes are up,” says Jocelyne Rankin of the Ecology Action Centre. “While Halifax didn’t go far enough by taking the bottle out of all HRM facilities, today’s vote is a sign that we’re moving in the right direction.”
“This indicates that Council as a whole is starting to understand that everyone should have access to the wonderful clean drinking water that Halifax Water provides, and should not have to pay for a drink of water,” says Angela Giles of The Council of Canadians. “This initial step brings us closer to all the other communities that have committed to phasing out bottled water in support of the tap.”
Bottled Water Restrictions in Canada:
-69 municipalities from eight provinces and one territory have banned the bottle
-33 universities and colleges have established bottled water-free zones
-The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) passed a resolution in 2009 urging all members to phase out the sale and provision of bottled water in municipal facilities.
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For more information contact:
Angela Giles Jocelyne Rankin
The Council of Canadians Ecology Action Centre
(o) 902 422.7811 (o) 902 442.5046
(c) 902 478.5727 (c) 902 220.3800