As part of an ongoing national campaign of over a year organized by the Polaris Institute, Canadian Federation of Students and the Sierra Youth Coalition, students are mobilizing and taking action to challenge the corporate control of water on campus. Campus community organizers are raising awareness about the harmful impacts of bottled water – a product that costs much more than tap water , is less regulated, consumes more energy and releases more harmful toxic substances.

Organizers are also drawing attention to the impacts of beverage exclusivity contracts, and the lack of access to public tap water infrastructure on Canadian campuses. A survey released in September by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Canadian Union of Public Employees and Polaris Institute, found that 33% of respondents noticed a reduction in the number of water fountains on campus and 43% cited delays in repairing them.

Today, there are over 50 bottled water free zones on 21 campuses - spaces where bottled water is not being purchased or used, alternatives such as glasses, pitchers and reusable stainless steel containers for tap water are being promoted and provided. This is part of a growing movement that includes municipalities, labour and environmental organizations:
- 30 municipalities from 7 provinces have taken action on bottled water and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) recently urged their members to “phase out the purchase and sale of bottled water” in municipal facilities.

Students' Unions in Manitoba are working together for more sustainable campuses and communities.

For Immediate Release
Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Brandon University to Become Bottled Water Free
University to officially sign Water Pledge today, challenge others to do the same

Brandon, MB – Brandon University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Deborah Poff officially signed a Water Pledge today that commits the university to eliminate the distribution and sale of bottled water at Brandon University.

“This is an example of students and the university working together to continue our commitment in leading the way in making our campuses and communities more environmentally sustainable.” said Dr. Poff, “This initiative demonstrates the important role of campuses in taking action on bottled water and in supporting public water services.”

Brandon University is only the third university campus in Canada to officially commit to phasing out bottled water. Through the Water Pledge, the university has committed to upgrade existing water fountains on campus and install new fountains and fill stations to further increase access to safe, clean, and cold drinking water for students and staff. The university will also offer public drinking water at university events in place of bottled water and will install new signage to raise awareness of the fountain locations around campus.

“Students across Canada are working together to reduce our environmental impact and fight back against the commodification of a public right, water,” added Brandon University Students' Union president Stephen Montague, “we challenge other institutions and municipalities to follow the leadership example set by Brandon University in reclaiming the tap and eliminating the bottle.”

At the Brandon University Students’ Union Annual General Meeting in November 2009, the students voted overwhelmingly in favor of eliminating the sale of bottled water on campus. BUSU’s efforts are part of an ongoing national student campaign organised by the Canadian Federation of Students, the Sierra Youth Coalition and the Polaris Institute.

For more information or to arrange an interview:

Stephen Montague, President, Brandon University Students' Union

Deputy Chairperson Canadian Federation of Students – Manitoba: 204-724-3494

Dr. Deborah Poff, Brandon University President: 204-727-9711

University of Winnipeg Bans Bottled Water!

For Immediate Release
Monday, March 23rd 2009

University of Winnipeg Bans Bottled Water on Campus – 1st University in Canada to Implement a Ban!

WINNIPEG – Today the University of Winnipeg announced that it will become the first university in Canada to end the provision and sale of bottled water campus-wide.

The sale of bottled water will be phased out by the Fall 2009 semester and funding will be put towards upgrading water infrastructure on campus. Water fountains will also be installed and located in prominent areas in three new facilities.

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) also recently voted to end the purchase and provision of bottled water at student-led events and meetings, and in a recent student initiated referendum, three-quarters of students voted to eliminate the sale of bottled water on campus with the highest voter turnout in years.

“Students at the University of Winnipeg have great pride for our campus” says Vinay Iyer, President of the UWSA, “the fact that we have joined with our administration and taken ownership over our environmental impact on campus sends a strong message across the country- it was a community effort”.

Today’s announcement takes place on the heels of an ongoing national student campaign of over a year, organized by the Polaris Institute, the Canadian Federation of Students and the Sierra Youth Coalition.

“Our campuses need to lead the way on sustainability initiatives” said David Jacks, Manitoba Chairperson for the Canadian Federation of Students, “it is our hope that other institutions across Canada will take similar action, and enshrine public drinking water as a Right by refusing to accept water as a commodity”.

The University of Winnipeg ban was the result of months of collaborative efforts by the UWSA, the Canadian Federation of Students – Manitoba and the Polaris Institute.

“As part of a growing movement, the University of Winnipeg’s initiative demonstrates the important role of campuses in taking action on bottled water and in supporting public water services.” says Zoe Maggio, Water Campaigner with the Polaris Institute.

Canadian Bottled Water Statistics:
-21 Universities and Colleges have established over 50 bottled water free zones
-30 municipalities from 7 provinces have taken action on bottled water
-The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) recently urged their members to “phase out the purchase and sale of bottled water” in municipal facilities.

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For more information, contact:

Vinay Iyer, President, University of Winnipeg Students’ Association:
pres@theuwsa.ca, 204-786-9778, cell: 204-803-4241

David Jacks, Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students – Manitoba:
chair@cfsmb.ca, 204-783-0787

Zoe Maggio, Water Campaigner, Polaris Institute:
zoe@polarisinstitute.org, 613-237-1717 ext. 104