Well, looky here. The Fluoride Action Network in New Hampshire has noticed our UCP member resolution to end the practice of fluoridating drinking water in Alberta.

Alberta's Majority Party Calls For Ban of Fluoridation Throughout Province

Dear Friends,

Delegates of Alberta, Canada's United Conservative Party (UCP), which holds the majority of seats in the Alberta legislature (63 of 87 seats) and is the party of the head of government, Premier Danielle Smith, voted overwhelmingly this week in support of a resolution calling for a ban on water fluoridation for the province with over 5 million residents. 

More than 4,000 UCP members were present for the vote, and witnesses in attendance approximated that upwards of 90% raised their green "YES" placards when the vote was called. The vote took place at the party's general annual meeting with Premier Smith in attendance. The meeting provides an opportunity for delegates to set party policy and agree on priorities for the year ahead. 

The resolution effort was lead by our friends at Safe Water Calgary , a citizen-run organization that FAN has worked closely with for many years. Dr. Robert Dickson, MD, who has been a leader in Calgary and throughout Canada for at least two decades, sent a thank you message to supporters:

"Thanks again for all your support. I won’t name anyone in particular right now, but FAN and many others have been very generous to support our cause, and others with their writing and presentations!"

FAN extends our congratulations and continued support to our friends across the border in hopes that together we can build on this momentum as legislators begin the upcoming session. 

Here's the full resolution:

Why This Vote Matters

Approximately 43% of Alberta's population that are served by public water supplies are currently receiving fluoridated water, with most of that population living in Calgary (population 1.6 million). The Fluoride Action Network worked closely with Dr. Robert Dickson, MD, and Safe Water Calgary to successfully end fluoridation in the city in 2011. However, the dental lobby spent a decade campaigning for a referendum to overturn the city council's vote, and they were successful in getting a city-wide vote in 2021. In the midst of the pandemic, there was a massive dental-lobby marketing campaign misinforming voters about the safety and efficacy of fluoridation. It resulted in a vote in favor of restarting the practice, which has only recently occurred at a cost of over $20 million dollars and an additional $1 million on the hazardous chemicals annually. 

This week's delegate vote could eventually lead to the majority party in the legislature passing legislation banning the practice throughout the province, including in Calgary. It's Canada's third largest city, and it would join the second largest city, Montreal, in having fluoridation-free water. Success in Alberta could have a major influence throughout the country, and even impact nearby U.S. cities and states.  

Act Locally, but Think Globally

While FAN is a U.S. based nonprofit, our educational resources are available to everyone around the fluoridated world. We share our campaign knowledge and materials, our medical and scientific expert network, and in some cases financial grants and support with our international coalition partners. This fits with our mission for a world safe from fluoride. Moreover, as you can see from the wording in the resolution, what we do here in the US--the birthplace of fluoridation--has a huge impact globally. If we can end it here, the dominos will certainly fall worldwide. 

How You Can Help Protect Hundreds of Millions of People

Your support for our fight to end fluoridation could literally impact the approximately 350 million people around the world currently living in fluoridated communities. Since our last bulletin on December 2nd, we've raised $4,536 from 26 donors, factoring in the $2,000 matching pledge from our long-time foundation supporter brings our fundraising total so far to $8,640 from 41 donors on our way to our goal of $150,000 from 600 donors by midnight Pacific Time on December 31st. All donations, large and small, are crucial to us and are tax-deductible. Thank you all for your incredible support.

How to Make a Tax-Deductible Donation:

You can make your donation online using our new secure fundraising page: https://fluoridealert.networkforgood.com/projects/176427-everyday-giving

Or, if the above link is not working properly in your browser, you can use our original secure fundraising page: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1415005

If you should experience difficulty donating online, or have any questions about wire transfers or anything else fundraising related, please email us for assistance: [email protected]

You can also mail checks to:

Fluoride Action Network

PO Box 85 

North Sutton, NH 03260

Thank you for your continued support, 

Stuart Cooper

Executive Director

Fluoride Action Network