Calgary's fluoride debate goes public

Calgarians will get a say on the future of fluoride in the city's drinking water.

At least 10 aldermen are backing the idea of removing the chemical, which was added to the water supply 20 years ago on the grounds that it prevents tooth decay.

Ward 7 Ald. Druh Farrell asked her colleagues to hold a public hearing at city hall on Jan. 26 on the subject of removing fluoride.

After that, a committee will recommend to city council what to do next.

But Farrell said she doesn't support taking the matter to another plebiscite, as was done in 1989 when 53 per cent voted in favour of adding fluoride, and again in 1998 when 55 per cent voted to keep the chemical in the water.

Fluoridation upgrade could cost $7M: alderman

"Last time it came in, it was about 100,000 people voted for it. And that was determining the outcome for a million people," she said Monday. "Well I certainly don't make decisions, health decisions, based on what my neighbour thinks I should do."

Farrell introduced the idea last week when she said she would bring forward a motion to council to ask the province to change the city's water licence. That would initiate a lengthy approval process that would include further consultation.

Farrell suggests recent studies question the safety of fluoride for certain portions of the population.

A 2008 panel told Health Canada fluoride levels in drinking levels needed to be limited to balance cavity protection with the risk of dental fluorosis, which leads to staining or pitting of the teeth if too much fluoride is ingested.

Ald. John Mar supports the removal of fluoride on a financial basis.

"If this is so important to Alberta Health Services, then they should be funding it," Mar told council on Monday. "Not the City of Calgary. This costs us $650,000, maybe [as much as] $7 million, as a capital upgrade [to the fluoridation system]. It's costing us $750,000 per year as an operational expense."

'Appearance of disagreement'

Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he hasn't decided yet if a plebiscite would be needed to discontinue fluoridation.

"This has not been a burning issue. It was not a burning issue during the election, it hasn't been a burning issue in my first few months in office," Nenshi said.

"So it's something that I need to noodle some more over and hear more from the public, so I will really keep an open mind and hear what the public has to say."

Dr. Richard Musto, medical officer of health for AHS's Calgary zone, said the public meeting would at least have "the appearance of disagreement."

"In fact, all of the major health and dental authorities in the world support it [fluoride in the water supply]," Musto said.

"It seems like there's a debate. But I think the evidence is very strong that this is a very effective, safe, cost-efficient way of bringing this benefit to all members of our city, our society, that drink this water."

The meeting will be held in council chambers to accommodate the large number of people expected to attend.