Group files court injunction against reintroduction of fluoride in Calgary water

Just days after fluoride was reintroduced into Calgary’s water supply, a group is fighting to have it removed, again.

Safe Water Calgary filed an injunction on Friday to stop the fluoridation of the city’s water, which resumed Monday.

The return had been delayed at least three times over the last four years, with the city citing the costs of upgrading Calgary’s two water treatment plans as a roadblock.

A 2021 plebiscite during the municipal election saw 62 per cent in favour of a reintroduction. It was removed in 2011.

Research also suggested 65 per cent of Calgary kids had tooth decay, whereas in Edmonton — where fluoridation remains in place — it was around 55 per cent.

Dr. Robert Dickson, a physician with the group who says he’s been studying fluoridation for more than two decades, says the decision was based on old data and outdated public opinion.

“The 205,000 Calgarians with very little information in the press, when they’re allowed to be in the press, voted for water fluoridation. However, right now there’s 1.8 million people in the greater Calgary area that will be fluoridated, will be subjected to this toxin,” he said. “And so that means that 205,000 people in 2021, without adequate information or data or science, now mandate what 1.8 million people will be receiving in their water.”

Dickson said over the last four months, around 9,500 people from Calgary and surrounding area have signed the group’s petition asking the city to pause reintroduction while the issue reevaluated.

“There’s just a lot of people that are angry out there that are unhappy with the decision,” he added.

The infrastructure costs for Calgary’s fluoride were just over $28 million, with ongoing annual costs of $1 million for operation and maintenance at the plants. However, the city said the funding will come from council-approved water rates, not property taxes.

The matter is set to go before a Calgary court next week.