The Blue Communities Project
We are pleased to note that the Blue Communities Project – a joint initiative by the Council of Canadians and CUPE is now expanding to communities in other parts of the world. The Blue Communities Project provides communities with the tools to fight the privatization of water and promote the human right to water. Through the project, we are working with local governments, community activists and water operators to ensure water justice for all.
A “Blue Community” is one that adopts a water commons framework that treats water as belonging to no one and the responsibility of all. Because water is essential for human life, it must be governed by principles that allow for reasonable use, equal distribution and responsible treatment in order to preserve water for nature and future generations.
The Blue Communities Project calls on communities to adopt a water commons framework by:
- Recognizing water as a human right.
- Promoting publicly financed, owned and operated water and wastewater services.
- Banning the sale of bottled water in public facilities and at municipal events.
The Blue Communities movement has grown internationally with Paris, France, Bern, Switzerland and other municipalities around the world going “blue.” Schools, religious communities and faith-based groups have also adopted principles that treat water as a common good that is shared by everyone and is the responsibility of all.
We invite you to become a part of the global movement for water security and justice by joining the Blue Communities Project. Learn what you can do to help protect the water commons – our shared water resources – in the face of increasing pressure to put water up for sale and privatize water services.
For more information on the Blue Communities Project, visit www.canadians.org/bluecommunities
Here are a number of international Blue Communities:
- Ville de Danville, Québec, January 30, 2019
- Cádiz, Spain, November 23, 2018
- Augsburg, Germany, October 19, 2018
- Marburg, Germany, July 9, 2018
- Thessaloniki, Greece, June 4, 2018
- Reformed Church of Nydeggkirche, Bern, April 15, 2018
- La Asociación Española de Operadores Públicos de Abastecimiento y Saneamiento (AEOPAS), Blue Communities Ambassador, April 9, s018
- Berlin, Germany, March 22, 2018
- Neuchâtel, Switzerland, March 12, 2018
- Munich, Germany, October 18, 2017
- Northampton, Massachusetts, June 1, 2017
- Thessaloniki, Greece (Blue Community Ambassador), November 28, 2016
- World Council of Churches, October 25, 2016
- City of St. Gallen, Switzerland, September 26, 2016
- University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, September 26, 2016
- Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirchgemeinde Spiez, September 1, 2016
- Federal University of Lavras, Brazil, May 13, 2106
- Paris, France, March 21, 2016
- Cambuquira, Brazil, March 11, 2014
- Federal University of Lavras, Brazil, May 13, 2106
- Paris, France, March 21, 2016
- Zurich, Switzerland, June 11, 2014
- Cambuquira, Brazil, March 11, 2014
- Evangelisch-reformierte Kirchgemeind Bern-Johannes Church, Switzerland, September 18, 2013
- University of Bern, Switzerland, September 18, 2013
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City of Bern, Switzerland – designated the first Blue Community outside of Canada, September 18, 2013
Blue Communities in Canada:
- Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland, October 19, 2018
- Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada, December 10, 2017
- District of Lunenburg, NS, December 8, 2015
- Thunder Bay, ON, March 23, 2015
- Tsal’alh, St’át’imc Territory – became the first Indigenous Blue Community, January 12, 2015
- Bayfield, ON, October 24, 2014
- Tay Township, ON, April 9, 2014
- Amqui, QC, September 16, 2013
- Thorold, ON, July 2, 2013
- Welland, ON, November 6, 2012
- Comox, B.C., October 4, 2012
- Cumberland, B.C., July 9, 2012
- Nanaimo, B.C., June 25, 2012
- St. Catharines, ON, May 28, 2012
- Niagara Falls, ON, April 25, 2012
- North Vancouver, B.C., February 6, 2012
- Ajax, ON, December 2011
- Tiny Township, ON, September 12, 2011
- Victoria, B.C., June 24, 2011
- City of Burnaby, B.C. becomes Canada’s first Blue Community on World Water Day, March 22, 2011.