UNA-Canada is one of the founding members of SWAN, a coalition of Canadian non-governmental organizations united in the belief that improving global access to safe, affordable, and sustainable water supply and sanitation services must be a foreign aid priority for the Government of Canada.  On March 22^nd 2009 UNA-Canada joined a number of its fellow SWAN members on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for the SWAN Toilet Seat Petition to mark World Water Day.  The event mobilized more than 100 people to come to Parliament Hill and to “Join the Call, Toilets for All!”

UNA-Canada played a key role in coordinating the SWAN Toilet Seat Petition.  Amy Sandhu, Project Officer for Clean Talk, acted as moderator for the event.  Amy set the stage for discussing the issues surrounding lack of access to sanitation, and introduced a number of esteemed speakers including NDP Member of Parliament Paul Dewar.  UNA-Canada’s Executive Director, Kate White, gave a compelling speech about the need for Canadians to prioritize the issue of access to clean drinking water and toilets as a foundation of our international development assistance.

The event attracted a significant media presence.  It was featured on CBC, in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper, Ottawa METRO, as well as in many other media sources.  UNA-Canada continues to work with other SWAN members on various initiatives focused on raising awareness about access to sanitation for all.

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