Ministerial Order issued regarding use of Island groundwater
Recognizing that water is one of our province’s most precious resources, the provincial government has suspended any new development of bottled water until the Water Act has been introduced.
“The province is committed to the protection of our water for future generations,” Communities, Land and Environment Minister Robert Mitchell said. “The development of a new Water Act for Prince Edward Island will provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for all water use, including the bottling of water. We want to ensure public confidence in government’s ability to protect and preserve our Island groundwater. This temporary measure will allow both the opportunity for the public to participate in a second round of consultations to communicate their thoughts on this issue, as well as the time needed to complete the new Act.”
Section three of the Environmental Protection Act states the Minister of Communities, Land and Environment has the authority to take ‘action as he considers necessary in order to manage, protect or enhance the environment’. This action can be achieved through a Ministerial Order. Government has endorsed a Ministerial Order suspending any new development of bottled water undertakings until the Water Act has been introduced, allowing the issue to be fully considered.
“Government has said we want to hear from Islanders on the topic of bottling Island water and this Ministerial Order will allow this to happen,” said Minister Mitchell.
The draft Water Act is nearing completion with the second round of in-person consultations planned for early 2017. For more information on the PEI Water Act visit www.gov.pe.ca/wateract.
Media contact:
Amber Nicholson
Senior Communications Officer
902-368-5286