Copy, paste, edit, and send

#1

To: DannyWilliams@gov.nl.ca

Dear Premier Williams:

I am contacting you only to ask that you release the Natural Areas Plan for public review. The Protected Areas Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PAA) and Parks and Natural Areas Division compiled the Natural Regions Study in 1989. In 1992, the PAA submitted a plan framework to Parks and Natural Areas Division. In 1995, the Parks and Natural Areas Division formed the Natural Areas System Plan Committee, who identified a number of representative samples for area protection and a list of unique areas.

Although the committee recommended immediate release of the areas for public debate, ten years have passed and the plan has not been released.

Newfoundland and Labrador is the only Province in Canada that has not released its protected areas strategy. Many of the areas that were designed in 1995 to 1996 have been altered or even dropped from the plan within Government.

Please release the Natural Areas Plan for public review

Sincerely,

[Insert your name here.]

#2

To: harper.s@parl.gc.ca
cc: MacKay.P@parl.gc.ca, Rona.Ambrose@ec.gc.ca

Dear Stephen Harper,

Protecting public water is a goal shared by people all around the world. Everyone on the planet depends on water.

In Canada, the supply of water is limited. One-quarter of municipalities have faced shortages and one-third currently rely on groundwater for drinking. Unfortunately, natural resource profiteers have set their sights on water as a commodity. They are buying and controlling essential water services, and profiting from situations of scarcity.

Canada needs a national water policy. This policy must ban the export of water, create national standards for clean drinking water, and commit federal funds to help Aboriginal communities and municipalities upgrade their water infrastructure. A national policy must also include a comprehensive water conservation plan. It must ensure that water cannot be traded in existing and future trade agreements.

I worry that the privatization of water resources in Africa, Asia, and Latin America restricts people's access to safe, affordable water. At the international level, 1 in 6 people do not have equal access to clean drinking water. The government of Canada can ensure equitable access to water by supporting publicly or cooperatively-run water systems. We must oppose international financial agreements and policies that promote the privatization of water services and lead to the degradation of natural water sources.

I urge you to protect clean, affordable public water in Canada and around the world, forever. I look forward to your reply. (And for heaven's sakes, try to be a little less obedient.)

Sincerely,

[Insert your name here, too.]

cc:

Peter Gordon MacKay
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

and

Rona Ambrose
Minister of the Environment