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Water Freedom
!!! quote "Tap Water Reality" "Nothing says freedom like having to boil our tap water while oil companies use millions of liters for free"
Call Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas{ .md-button } Email Minister of Environment{ .md-button }
Call Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services{ .md-button } Email Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services{ .md-button }
Why Should Water Be Free?
Because somehow we've arrived at a point where bottled water costs more than gas. Revolutionary concept: maybe the thing we literally need to survive shouldn't come with a price tag?
Our Current "Freedom" System
!!! example "The Alberta Water Experience" 1. We check our water advisories 2. We buy bottled water 3. We ignore the plastic waste 4. We watch rivers get polluted 5. We buy more bottled water 6. We pretend this is normal
What Real Water Freedom Looks Like
- Clean tap water (yes, even in Indigenous communities)
- Protected watersheds (not just profit watersheds)
- Public water fountains (that work in winter)
- Maintained infrastructure (pipes shouldn't be optional)
- Water conservation programs (because droughts are real)
But What About Water Rights?!
!!! info "Plot Twist" Nobody's saying we can't use water. We're just suggesting that maybe corporations shouldn't get it for free while communities have to boil theirs.
The Economic Freedom Argument
When we have clean, free water:
- Public health improves
- Local businesses thrive
- Communities grow
- We save billions on bottled water
- Our environment thanks us
What We're Missing
- Universal clean water access
- Modern water treatment
- Protected aquifers
- Water conservation education
- Fair water distribution
!!! tip "Pro Freedom Tip" If we think free clean water is radical, remember that corporations get millions of liters for pennies while charging us $2.50 for 500ml.
The Real Cost of Our Water Crisis
Our current system costs us:
- $300/year in bottled water
- Countless boil water advisories
- Environmental degradation
- Public health issues
- Our basic human dignity
The Better Way
Imagine if we had:
- Clean tap water everywhere
- Protected water sources
- Modern infrastructure
- Fair distribution
- Actual conservation policies
!!! warning "Reality Check" Our freedom to choose between different brands of bottled water isn't actually freedom - it's just expensive submission to corporate water control.
The Bottom Line
Water freedom means having access to clean, safe water without having to mortgage our future or destroy our environment. It means understanding that water is a human right, not a commodity to be bought and sold.
!!! note "Let's Get Moving" Ready to flow toward real freedom? Let's share this with our fellow Albertans - especially those who think pristine water is just for premium subscribers.
Sources & Evidence
Tailings Pond Crisis
- Oil sands tailings ponds now hold 1.5 trillion litres of toxic waste - an area larger than Vancouver
- Over 6,000 tonnes of toxic naphthenic acids are added to tailings yearly
- Tailings contain benzene, lead, mercury, arsenic, nickel, and other carcinogens
- Source: Environmental Law Centre - Tailings Ponds Report
- Source: The Narwhal - Oilsands tailings
Kearl Mine Disaster
- In 2023, 5.3 million litres of industrial wastewater leaked from the Kearl mine
- A second tailings pond had been leaking for 9+ months before discovery
- Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation sued the Alberta Energy Regulator over handling of spills
- Source: Mongabay - Kearl Mine Spill
- Source: CBC News - Kearl mine spill
Indigenous Water Crisis
- Multiple First Nations communities remain under boil water advisories
- Elevated cancer rates documented in downstream Indigenous communities
- Federal government announced $12 million over 10 years to study health impacts (after decades of concern)
- Source: Indigenous Watchdog - Water advisories
- Source: Canadian Medical Association Journal - Oilsands health impacts
Groundwater Contamination
- Groundwater contamination from oil and gas operations affects communities
- Industrial users allocated water ahead of community needs
- No comprehensive water sustainability strategy exists for Alberta
- Source: CPAWS Northern Alberta - Tailings
