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World Water Day provides opportunity to protect a valuable natural resource

World Water Day is a designated United Nations day to recognize the common life sustaining resource that is our fresh water.

Ottawa (22 March 2013) – Every March 22 World Water Day is celebrated around the world. The hope is to focus attention on the importance of fresh water and promote a sustainable management of this precious resource.

This day was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

In Canada, we are fortunate to have an abundance of fresh water. What Canada is lacking is a well thought out plan for water stewardship. Not only that, but under the Conservative government's recent omnibus legislation, the Harper government has reduced environmental protection of 99 per cent of Canada's lakes and rivers. The Conservative government continues to dismantle the environmental regulations required for major projects impacting on waterways. More and more austerity measuresand  spending cuts will also mean ensuring communities have safe drinking water becomes more difficult.

The National Union of Public and General Employees' (NUPGE) All Together Now! campaign has been highlighting the need to promote quality public services and decent jobs (like water inspections and inspectors) and to fight for tax fairness.

There are many groups across the country working hard to protect this vital natural resource. NUPGE urges its members and the public to get involved to ensure our water is protected for generations to come.

Here's a ist of communities hosting World Water Day events across the country.

More information: 

All Together Now! campaign

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE