Re Part of the Commons, Elaine Hughes of Archerwill, Saskatchewan, January 12:
Elaine Hughes, you have brought up some valid points and I’d like to take this opportunity to address your concerns.
First, I’d like to respond by assuring you that Yukon Spring water does not interrupt or come from the Yukon River.
There are six natural springs on the property that are independent from the river.
It is correct to say that “the public doesn’t have access to this water” as the springs are located on Paul Sheridan’s personal property that he purchased in 1972 and since acquired a valid water licence in 1988.
“Water is part of the commons”, is a statement that is absolutely true, along with many other products that are utilized on a daily basis.
Does this mean that fisherman do not have a right to fish and sell these products for our tables?
Does this mean that the lumber industry does not have the right to sell our trees that make our houses, our paper and even newspapers in which this article is published?
Does this mean that the oil companies should not be permitted to produce heating oil, gasoline, diesel or lubricants upon which we rely daily?
I venture to say no.
Yukon Spring Inc. is a family operated business working to provide for our family, just like everyone else.
We are offering consumers an alternative product to those who do not wish to ingest chlorinated water.
The expansion is an opportunity to provide new jobs and boost our economy here in the Yukon.
Please be assured that we are regulated through the CFIA (Canadian Food Industry Association) and we are trying to be as ‘green’ as possible.
We have absolutely NO interest in usurping the public sector as a supplier of water to households. We are merely offering an alternative, which becomes a free-will choice by the consumer.
Some concerned persons and groups have an issue with this precious resource becoming a commodity. Suffice it to say, water is already commodified by virtue of being charged a water tax by the municipality.
Recently, I have run across an independent source of information, that is not associated with Yukon Spring Inc., that you may be interested in looking at.
You can find it on www.youtube.com and search for Spring Water Live by TheShawnModel.
Nikki Sheridan, general manager
Yukon Spring Inc.
Whitehorse