Thousands Mark Canada's First Bottled Water Free Day

OTTAWA, March 11 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, Canadians across the country are participating in Canada's first Bottled Water Free Day. Organised by the Canadian Federation of Students, Sierra Youth Coalition and the Polaris Institute, Bottled Water Free Day is intended to raise awareness about the negative impacts of bottled water.

"Across the country students are standing up against the wasteful bottled water industry," said Noah Stewart, National Deputy Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Tired of having to pay Coca Cola, Pepsi or Nestle for a drink of water we're calling on schools to ban the sale of bottled water and re-invest in water fountains."

Highlights of Bottled Water Free Day include:

    
    -   Events on more than 60 university and college campuses across the
        country;
    -   An announcement that Ryerson University will stop selling and
        distributing bottled water;
    -   The public release of documents, obtained through an Access to
        Information request, showing that the CBC spent nearly $500,000 on
        bottled water between 2004 and 2008.
    

"The success of Bottled Water Free Day shows the strength of the back-to-the-tap movement," says Elly Adeland, Water and Energy Campaigner for the Polaris Institute. "Bottled Water sales in North America have plummeted and across the country Canadians are pledging to kick the bottle - clearly the tap is making a comeback."

Bottled Water Free Day is taking place after years of escalating bottled water backlash in Canada. To date 76 municipalities, 4 municipal associations (including the Federation of Canadian Municipalities), 8 school boards, 5 university campuses and countless businesses have implemented restrictions on bottled water.

For a full list of events and endorsing organisations visit: www.bottledwaterfreeday.ca

For further information: Noah Stewart, Canadian Federation of Students, [phone]; Elly Adeland, Polaris Institute, [phone] x104