Feds spend $15 million of your money on bottled water
By Jason Buckland, Sympatico / MSN Finance
No, the kid from Blank Check isn’t running parliament. I checked.
In a revelation yesterday even Ottawa would admit is ill-timed, documents came to light showing the federal government has spent more than $15 million on bottled water in the last five years, $10 million of that in the last three.
Now, you don’t need me here to tell you that $15 million for water could, yeah, probably be spent a little bit wiser. But if one thing’s for sure about Canadians, it’s that they don’t like wasted taxpayer money.
One advocacy group has already dubbed the issue “Bottled Watergate,” and another cast if off as “deeply, deeply concerning.”
Before we pile on, there is one defence for the feds worth mentioning: not all the water money was seemingly tossed away. In the documents detailing the water expenses, some $3.3 million of the $15 million ($15.7 million, actually) was tabbed by Indian and Northern Affairs over the past five years and sent to supply First Nations reserves where the safety of drinking water was suspect.
So, that’s okay.
Yet, that still leaves a cool $12.4 million which, no matter what the case, leaves us with the image of two suits breezing by some City Hall water fountain to grab a crisp, cold Evian from the nearest mini fridge.
It’s still early, but so far there hasn’t been much response to the spending from the feds who, rightfully, probably have more pressing matters to deal with. But what’s going to irk the public further is that, of the $12.4 million, there didn’t seem to be much of an effort to conserve on the government’s behalf.
Most of us realize that $12.4 million – spread over the entire nation, over half a decade – really isn’t that much, but that belies the point here. It seems like waste and, from a government intent on leading the charge to ban the plastic water bottle anyway, a bit hypocritical.
How many millions of that taxpayer cash could’ve been saved if water fountains were better used or, if handouts were necessary, government workers were given reusable bottles they could refill on their own?
Even while most of Bottled Watergate’s spending was done before the economy tanked, the news of it broke during the recession. And that means now, more than any other time, the feds are probably going to have their hands full answering to this one.
Posted by: George R Bell | Apr 30, 2021 5:44:36 AM
With respect to your comments on some $12 million dollars being spent on bottled water. . .could it be that this bottled water was spent to provide sfe drinking water for our troops serving in afhanistan and other places where safe water is such a hazard to health and well-being? Just a thought but worth researching. Other wise, it is little wonder that some Government officials seem to be water-logged when ti comes to making decisions that are in our best interest and not focussing on their own re-elections next time around. At a "Buck A Bottle' the $12 million makes for quite a number of bottles let alone a terrifc strain on our sanitary systems.
Oh, well, who needed an additional $12 million in health care (as a priority) anyway?
Posted by: william berardi {robitaille} | Apr 30, 2021 9:20:28 AM
this has not been in the headline news! facts may be misleading? if not, government should be ashamed.
Posted by: Johnston | Apr 30, 2021 9:32:37 AM
Simply pathetic, but, not at all surprising. They do not give a darn ( way to polite ), they could care less because it is not their money and there is nothing we can do about it. It is sickening. Can you imagine the waste and squandering that we do not hear about.
Posted by: N Croucher | Apr 30, 2021 10:06:57 AM
Well hello people! I hope no one is surprised by the bottled water issue. This is just the tip of the
melting iceburg. This is just a sample of the governments attitude toward environnmental awareness. The recent passing, second reading only, of the oppositions Bill C-311 on emissions control only happened because all opposition parties out voted the Tories old guard who mostly voted against it. This government has consistently fought every aspect of the Kyoto accord and instead of the agreed upon 20% cut buy 2012 Canada is now 30% above. We should all be ashamed of letting this happen. Please be advised that our last chance to correct this may be at the critical summit in Denmark in December. Please speak up for our childrens sake and remember to refill
your own reusable water bottles.
Posted by: John Fedak | Apr 30, 2021 10:40:57 AM
The Feds - spending money is what they do best. These people have no shame, no integrity,
what they do have is greed, excellent income, nice pensions and tons of time off. That is not sufficient, they must use bottled water as a perk or simply to show that they are different from tax paying folks. I wonder who pays for the bottle disposal? An other cost.
The Government is out of control, after an election nothing matters that may effect the tax paying citizens. All current political parties are iresposible, inupt to honest governing. Shame that Country is expsoed to such dissgrace. The only consolation - at elast we are not in Iraq! Ha Ha.
Posted by: dave | Apr 30, 2021 12:02:09 PM
What this shows is that there is no regard when it comes to spending OUR money. I work in a business that uses bottled water and have been wanting them to change to put in a water filtration system then use glasses to get water with as it is way more cost efficient. 14 million could get filtration systems for the reserves and every goverment office in Canada and more I am sure. There is no respect for spending in our government and that needs to change yesterday. This is also just one area that the goverment over spends, if we add up all the stupidity that goes on with money in our government we are most likely looking at over a billion of wasted money.
When are we going to put a stop to this craziness???
Do we have any people in the government that are looking out for the PEOPLE????? Sadly I think the answer is NO>
Posted by: dan | Apr 30, 2021 12:51:27 PM
This sounds like literly nothing.
Imagine having the number of offices / branches and having a meeting with outside vendors, or hell even staff and not providing water, soda or something.
This is like making a mountain out of a mole hill. I'm shocked that its this low. 12 million in unaccounted for bottle water spread out by the number of employees and over 5 years amounts to nothing. Its not even a .01 % of the total budget.
In many government buildings the water system may be even on Lead pipes. The Province of Manitoba Legislative building is in a horrible state considering the standards need. Fed residences like Sussex drive has had problems such as the roof being in such disrepair its a shame. Don't shoot the feds over this. If you want to tackle waste, Start with the something that counts, like the cost of fuel in Military cars.
Posted by: Trepidum | Apr 30, 2021 3:28:32 PM
EVIAN spelled backwards is NAIVE
Posted by: Julyborn in Ottawa | Apr 30, 2021 4:22:09 PM
You morons... A huge majority of this so called over expense was for water going to our troops in Afghanistan and dozens of other parts of this troubled world they have been deployed to. Afghanistan is a desert, there is no potable water, they drink bottled water, they wash with it, they brush their teeth with it and they keep their quarters clean with it. Without the clean water they would be falling ill with who knows what. The quarters must be kept clean to prohibit as much as possible the ''critters'' from coming to live with them... most of which are poisonous. When our troops get home from their missions the last thing they want to look at is another bottle of water. They love coming home to real showers and safe running tap water. Get a grip and quit squawking over how much the government spends on the necessity of safe living for those troops and be thankful we have the safe water to provide to them.
I work in the Federal Government and have worked in various offices throughout Ottawa and I have seen first hand who gets the bottles of water locally. I know, on occasion, of office buildings where issues are determined by the health inspectors that the building water is unsafe for consumption for a period of time. The building then brings in bottled water until the problem is rectified. I also know, the Federal Government employees have a conscience of what their department expenditures are and do their utmost to adhere to constraint. People who think the know everything from stupid reporting such as presented need to give their head a shake.
Posted by: Johnston | Apr 30, 2021 4:46:50 PM
Hey Moron, yes you, the July born Ottawa idgit. You can tell you work in Ottawa. If a good portion of that money was spent on water for the troops - THEY WOULD HAVE SAID SO. You think this after thought reason will shut people up, BUT YOUR WRONG.
Posted by: Chantal | Apr 30, 2021 5:07:51 PM
As a former public servant who was involved in purchasing. I can tell you the water they are talking about is the big water bottles that go in water coolers for employees. The little water bottles' cost would be included in hospitallity costs in a different part of the budget.
Posted by: rob | Apr 30, 2021 6:59:23 PM
what about SUSTAINABILITY. 12 million in big or small bottles is a lot of waste and landfill. What's wrong with tap water......and maybe then we could save a little money. If you want bottled water that badly....work in the private sector.
Posted by: mike lemieux | Apr 30, 2021 9:02:35 PM
I hope someone was at least negotiating a fair discount for that volume
Posted by: mike lemieux | Apr 30, 2021 9:05:25 PM
and supported local water businesses
Posted by: jojo | Apr 30, 2021 9:07:36 PM
this government needs to be ejected asap, a new form of government needs to step in..get rid of the 3 governments currently running this country..stand up people..what is it going to take?
Julyborn in Ottawa - does Afghanistan not have water?? was the afghan government not able to provide water for the troops that are supposedly helping their country?..who's the moron? my finger is pointing at you friend. Not surpised that you took a hissy fit like a 6 year old little girl..what can anyone expect from a government worker.
Posted by: Fred Cramer | Apr 30, 2021 9:26:18 PM
I hope this is not a case of only reporting the part of the story that makes the government look bad as is often the case. If it is shame on the media, if it isn't shame on the government employees as they are responsible for their expenses.
zpdzgg
Posted by: Roz | Apr 30, 2021 9:45:42 PM
I though that this government didn't consider the right to water an essential human right? So what do they need all that water for. Canadians enjoy plenty of clean water from the water taps found in all of our public and residence buildings. If the Federal Government employees etc. need water, they should use a tap. For all those who have to have bottled water shipped to replace their contaminated water systems, why not spend some of that $15 million on getting the problem cleaned up.
In Canada we have one of the safest and abundant water resources, when will we wake up to the fact that we have to protect it as well, since the next shortages will likely be in water in other countries of the world (global warming, changing weather patterns, etc.). As usual, our government is afraid to take a lead on anything and come up with some creative made in Canada solutions that could set the standard for the other G8 countries as a start. When will the ruling and opposition parties in Ottawa start doing the job they were elected for, get a move on and lead.
Posted by: Christopher-Peter: Maingot | Apr 30, 2021 9:48:36 PM
Could it have anything to do with the questionable dependability of the quality of our "tap water"? How many here, are actually aware that HEALTH CANADA, and many other CORPORATE associations, administrations and organizations, promote the assumed and so-called benefits of artificially fluoridated drinking water? And, so do many of the Provincial and municipal governments too! The chemical of choice which is used for this process of artificial fluoridation, is typically hydroflurosilicic acid (HFSA). This chemical, is an industrially generated toxic waste, which is definitely classified as dangerous goods, or a hazardous material. The industry that generates this toxic pollutant, is typically engaged in the smelting of aluminum and, also the phosphates (fertilizers) industry. They use the HFSA as a scrubbing agent in their smokestacks, this makes it seem that they are not putting out as much crap as they really are. This industry, and even you and me, would be heavily fined, and face imprisonment, if we were caught dumping this HFSA into the great lakes, or even the sewers for that matter. Our governments came up with this hair ball idea to have then (industry) dump it into our drinking water supplies instead. This toxic industrial chemical (TIC) causes serious health problems, and there are strong arguments to support, that it is a possible Human Carcinogen. Evidence available supports the designation of fluoride as a "possible Human Carcinogen" according to US EPA guidelines 2005: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=116283
Sandhu R, Lal H, Kundu ZS, Kharb S. Serum Fluoride and Sialic Acid Levels in Osteosarcoma. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2009 Apr 24. [Epub ahead of print] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19390788?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
So, perhaps the advocates that perpetually promote drinking artificially fluoridated water, have all along, been skeptical about swallowing their own medicines...Fluorides are considered drugs, and poisons...its used to kill rodents...rat poison!
Over 2,000 Professionals Call for an End to Fluoridation of Drinking Water.
http://www.fluoridealert.org/professionals.statement.html
SAAFE - Society Against Artificially Fluoridated Environments.
Be SAAFE - Speak Against Artificially Fluoridated Environments!
Posted by: K.I.S.S. | Apr 30, 2021 10:43:20 PM
This is a matter of the K.I.S.S. theory (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Revert to the good old days of glass bottles. Clean, recyclable, health wise far better than plastic, and in the long run: 1: a lot more environmentally friendly than plastic. 2: more cost effective even if sterilised for re-use.
But I suppose we need land fills filled with plastic!!!!
Posted by: Bethany | Apr 30, 2021 11:48:29 PM
Is the tap water in Ottawa unsafe to drink?