It's getting to be that time of year again: roses appearing in the middle of winter, chocolate flying off the shelves... it must be almost time to Occupy Valentines Day!  What's more passionate than fighting for social justice? Love comes in many forms -- a sister to be remembered, the fresh smell of compost in the morning, a community you build online, but no matter how you celebrate this week's Toolkit has got you covered.

March 10 is Bottled Water Free Day. People all across Canada and the world are taking a stand in support of public water and against the privatization of our water resources.

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011

Dear friends,

Nestle is trying to reverse London’s ban on the sale of bottled water on city property. They wrote a letter to Mayor Joe Fontana requesting a reversal of the ban. The letter was on the agenda of the Community and Neighbourhoods Committee Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 15. Nestle was present as a delegation. City council will vote on the matter on Monday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.

What Londoners can do:

In Canada, as in most parts of the developed world, our civic governments have for decades run drinking water and waste water treatment systems as a public service. This is because generations have realized that water is something distinct and precious that must be managed as a public, not private, good.

However, in the last 25 years, two trends have been combining to promote the steady shift of water from a public good to private commodity.

If Vancouver councillor, Tim Stevenson gets his way, Olympic visitors will be able to savour a glass of Metro Vancouver's thirst-quenching tap water at the city's two Olympic Live Sites.

CBC News reports that "Metro Vancouver has started a campaign to encourage Olympic tourists to drink the region's tap water instead of buying bottled water, creating a potential conflict with Coca-Cola Ltd., one of the Games' biggest official sponsors."