Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

reusable bottles

Tap into Barrie water at local beaches this summer

Tap into Barrie water at local beaches this summer

The City of Barrie Water Operations branch is going on the road this summer and bringing free drinking water to a beach near you. Residents, visitors, and summer camp participants are invited to fill up their reusable bottles with Barrie tap water for free at the city’s water trailer this summer. The water trailer will be at Tyndale Beach or Centennial beach every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Aug. 31, 2023, weather permitting and subject to staff availability. The water trailer holds enough tap water to fill 2,000 reusable water bottles.

Sundridge council banning one-time use plastic water bottles at municipal sites

Sundridge council banning one-time use plastic water bottles at municipal sites

The days of using plastic water bottles in municipal-related facilities in the Village of Sundridge will soon end. Town council is supporting a resolution banning the use of disposable one-time use bottles and is encouraging the use of reusable bottles. Coun. Fraser Williamson introduced the motion at council’s Oct. 13 meeting. Williamson was appointed to council over the summer to fill a vacancy, and it so happened his first meeting in July lasted nearly six hours and wrapped up at 11:52 p.m.

Bottled water donations helping London's most vulnerable during heatwave

Bottled water donations helping London's most vulnerable during heatwave

One Londoner has donated 4,000 bottles of water to help keep London's most vulnerable hydrated during the most recent hot spell, but advocates say that number can only last for so long. Jen Martin, who works in program support for My Sister's Place, said staying hydrated is a challenge for the 200 daily participants who rely on the centre for snacks and community. Reusable bottles are not always a practical solution, as having a place to wash and fill them can be difficult.

Marine biologist offers Montreal festivals an alternative to single-use water bottles

Marine biologist offers Montreal festivals an alternative to single-use water bottles

Planning on attending Osheaga in Montreal this summer? Bring along a reusable water bottle and fill it up as often as you'd like — for free. You can do that now thanks to a local marine biologist and her determination to keep plastic out of the oceans. This summer, Rachel Labbé-Bellas is unveiling her new water-refill stations at the summer festival — water-refill stations she's dubbed The Green Stop, designed to discourage people from using single-use plastic bottles and inspire environmental awareness.

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