Shane Philips has committed to walk 100 kilometres on April 12 and 13 to deliver a message directly to Ontario’s Minister of the Environment.
His message to Minister John Wilkinson is, “Don’t renew Nestlé’s water-taking permit in Aberfoyle, and stop the bottled water industry everywhere in our province.”
Philips has also offered to make his walk a fundraiser for Wellington Water Watchers, so any donations helps that group’s efforts to stop the commercial bottling of water in Wellington County – and throughout Ontario.
“I believe if we are to truly respect life everywhere and call each other equals it starts with the basic necessity of life – water” said Philips. He has walked twice from his home to the Nestle Waters Canada – Aberfoyle plant on his own initiative. A third walk, he completed with a number of Wellington Water Watchers on March 5, from downtown Guelph.
The official deadline to submit comments through the EBR registry was that same day. Officials at the Ministry of the Environment assured the group that all comments opposing the permit would be accepted until decision-making time – citing April 15 as a closing date.
Philips planned to leave from the intersection at Claire and Gordon Road in Guelph April 12, heading along Highway 6 to Clappison’s corner. From there, he planned to turn onto Highway 5, which turns into Dundas Road and eventually leads him all the way to Queen’s Park. He anticipated the walk to take just over 27 hours and he has decided to walk it straight through the night of Arpril 12.
Philips was seeking a brief meeting with the Wilkinson at 2pm on the steps of Queens Park on April 13.
