Council of Canadians expresses solidarity with local campaign to stop Nestlé in Erin Township[
https://canadians.org/blog/council-cana ... n-township ]
April 13, 2017 - 3:22 pm
Let Mayor Alls and Councillors Brennan, Duncan and Smith know that they should reject Nestlé funding on April 18.
The Council of Canadians expresses its solidarity with the Green Well Ecological Collaborative and their effort to stop Nestlé in the southwestern Ontario community of Erin.
The Wellington Advertiser reports, "A group of Erin citizens is asking town council to reject a voluntary levy offered by Nestlé Waters Canada."
On February 1, Nestlé proposed to town council that they would give the town 50 cents for every 1,000 litres of water they extract from the Hillsburgh well. Nestlé said the town would get at least $25,000 annually and estimates are the town could receive about $40,000 a year through this so-called 'community benefit fund'.
On April 4, the Green Well Ecological Collaborative recommended to the five-person town council that the group launch a social media campaign to raise the estimated $40,000 that Nestlé has offered to pay the town.
Linda Rosier, a spokesperson for the group, told councillors, "If the only reason you're saying 'yes' is because you need $40,000, we'll come up with the $40,000 through a social media campaign which we would start in conjunction with Waterstock."
Waterstock is taking place on June 11 from 12 pm to 5 pm at the Bela Farm in Hillsburgh. Wellington Water Watchers is organizing the event to mobilize community pressure to ask Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne to say no to Nestlé water takings in the province.
From the Wellington Advertiser report, Councillor Rob Smith (
rob.smith@erin.ca) seemed skeptical that the money could be raised, Councillor John Brennan (
john.brennan@erin.ca) said the town should work with Nestlé, while Councillor Jeff Duncan (
jeff.duncan@erin.ca) also appeared to support taking money from Nestlé.
On the other hand, Councillor Matt Sammut (
matt.sammut@erin.ca) urged council to consider the proposal. Sammut said, "I don't think water should be given to companies to exploit and make significant profits on."
Mayor Allan Alls (
allan.alls@erin.ca) says council will make a decision on April 18. The CBC has reported that Alls would be willing to comment on the fund following that meeting.
The Town of Erin's website notes, "Very important issues arise in the Town of Erin from time to time. Public comment is always welcome."
You can email the councillors with the emails noted above or send your message to the Town Council General Mailbox at
council@erin.caWhen the Green Well Ecological Collaborative launches its fundraising campaign, The Council of Canadians will contribute to their fund.
Tags: nestle
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Brent Patterson's blog
Political Director of the Council of Canadians
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https://canadians.org/blogs/brent-patterson ]
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Guelph chapter at Erin Town Council meeting tonight on Nestlé 'community benefit fund'[
https://canadians.org/blog/guelph-chapt ... nefit-fund ]
April 18, 2017 - 1:57 pm
The Council of Canadians Guelph chapter will be at a Town Council meeting in Erin this evening where a so-called Nestlé 'community benefit fund' will be voted on.
Our ally Wellington Water Watchers highlights, "The Town of Erin meets tonight at 6:30pm at Town offices at 5684 Trafalgar Rd Erin ON N0B 1Z0. If you live in the Erin area please plan to attend this meeting. (arrive after 5:00 pm to ensure a strong visible presence!)"
And CBC reports, "The Town of Erin will discuss whether it should accept money from Nestlé Waters Canada that would come from a voluntary levy the company has proposed. Nestlé Waters has said the money is a donation to help improve the community and would be based on how much water it pumps from the well the company owns in Hillsburgh. But critics have said the money is nothing more than Nestlé Waters paying the Town of Erin for water in a backhanded way."
On the 5-member Town Council:
YES - Councillors Rob Smith (
rob.smith@erin.ca), John Brennan (
john.brennan@erin.ca) and Jeff Duncan (
jeff.duncan@erin.ca) appear open to the town accepting the money from Nestlé.
NO COMMENT - Mayor Allan Alls (
allan.alls@erin.ca) has refused to speak with the media on this issue prior to this evening's vote.
UNCLEAR - Councillor Matt Sammut (
matt.sammut@erin.ca) is open to local residents raising the equivalent funds and has stated, "I don't think water should be given to companies to exploit and make significant profits on."
The CBC article adds, "A staff report from Town of Erin director of finance Ursula D'Angelo recommends accepting the voluntary levy from Nestlé Waters Canada and use the money for community projects."
You can email the councillors with the emails noted above or send your message to the Town Council General Mailbox at
council@erin.caNestlé's current permit to extract 1.1 million litres of water per day from Hillsburgh expires on August 31, 2017.
The Council of Canadians supports the local opposition that says the Town of Erin should reject funding from Nestlé.
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Brent Patterson's blog
Political Director of the Council of Canadians
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http://canadians.org/blogs/brent-patterson ]
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Barlow says Erin Town Council made a "a big mistake" by voting in favour of Nestlé money[
https://canadians.org/blog/barlow-says- ... 3%A9-money ]
April 19, 2017 - 10:58 am
(PHOTO: Two children express their view before the vote. Photo by @putfoodinbudget)
Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow says the Town Council of Erin made "a big mistake" by voting in favour of accepting funds from Nestlé Waters Canada in relation to the water the transnational extracts from the local Hillsburgh well for their bottled water operations.
On February 1, Nestlé proposed to town council that they would give the town 50 cents for every 1,000 litres of water they extract from the well. Nestlé said the town would get at least $25,000 annually and estimates are the town could receive about $40,000 a year through this so-called 'community benefit fund'.
CTV now reports, "A council meeting in Erin [on April 18] was standing room only after residents packed the chambers to voice their opinions on whether or not the town should accept a levy from Nestlé Waters Canada."
The Wellington Advertiser adds, "Citizens jeered Erin council after it votes 4-1 to accept Nestle Waters voluntary levy."
On April 4, the Green Well Ecological Collaborative recommended an alternative to the five-person town council. The group said it would launch a social media campaign to raise the money. Linda Rosier, a spokesperson for the group, told councillors, "If the only reason you're saying 'yes' is because you need $40,000, we'll come up with the $40,000 through a social media campaign."
Nestlé Waters Canada is a subsidiary of Nestle S.A, the Swiss based transnational which had sales of about $116 billion in 2015.
The CBC has reported, "Mike Nagy of the Wellington Water Watchers said the fund is a 'quasi-profit situation' and no municipality should profit from the sale of water. 'We just fundamentally oppose seeing water going out of the community and then, hey, here's a little bit of cash for your trouble.'"
Barlow adds, "Nestlé is a predator."
Nestlé's current permit to extract 1.1 million litres of water per day from Hillsburgh expires on August 31, 2017.
Brent Patterson's blog
Political Director of the Council of Canadians
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http://canadians.org/blogs/brent-patterson ]