Freshwater Future Will Not Be Silenced: We Stand with Southern Poverty Law Center
This week, the Trump Administration indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has contributed to securing and protecting civil rights for over 50 years. Freshwater Future is concerned about the direct impacts on civil rights and how it may contribute to discouraging nonprofits from speaking out on issues. Freshwater Future wouldn’t be able to exist without the hard-won rights of people to vote and exercise their First Amendment right to speak up. Using our voices is a foundation of Freshwater Future’s work. We will continue to take positions and voice our concerns. Click here to see our complete statement.
Take Some Time for Yourself – Join Us Next Wednesday
Register today for our monthly and free Mindfulness and Movement session to relax and restore! This 45-minute gathering will be led by Jonathan Relucio, a mindfulness facilitator and coach with over 20 years of leadership and community organizing experience. All are invited to this 11:30 am ET event – please feel free to share. As a reminder, registration is required for each separate event. See you soon!
Join the Freshwater Future Team!
Freshwater Future is currently hiring a Director of Development. Visit our website for a job description and how to apply.
“The Fight Isn’t Over”: Hope Persists Despite Repeal of Boundary Waters Area Mining Ban
Last week, the U.S. Congress set back advocate and community efforts to protect the pristine Canoe Area Wilderness that spans parts of Canada and Minnesota. This new unprecedented resolution, likely to be approved soon by the President, repeals a 20-year public land protection that banned mining and exploration in the Boundary Waters watershed area. The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who share treaty-reserved rights of this area with two other Bands, have vowed to continue fighting at the state level to protect their irreplaceable homeland and food and water source. Freshwater Future will continue to support advocacy efforts to protect these revered waters of the Great Lakes and share how you can use your voice.
Suspicions of Water System Privatization Efforts Grow in Ontario
Ontario passed legislation last November that gave the Provincial Government broad authority to manage drinking and wastewater. Another unrelated bill also passed, which dissolved the Toronto-area Regional Municipality of Peel, which manages Canada’s fourth-largest water system. What’s at stake?
Peel’s water system will transition from regional to local government management under its three smaller municipalities – Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. While increased local control is typically a good thing, this new water law gives Provincial leaders broad power to take away local control from cities, towns, and villages and makes them susceptible to privatization. Some of the biggest concerns about the change include the risk of higher water rates, the province’s control over the governing body and board of directors, and legitimate questions about who will ultimately own water facilities.
It is critical that the Members of Provincial Parliament repeal Bill 60, which changes water and wastewater management before it enables system privatization by for-profit corporations. Freshwater Future is committed to fighting for public, affordable, and safe drinking water in Ontario and across the Great Lakes region, and will keep you updated on this topic.
Take Actions: Together, Our Voices Make a Difference
