The City of Winnipeg is rushing through a proposal that will change the way water and waste services are managed. The Council of Canadians, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the University of Winnipeg Students Association and several other groups have joined forces under the banner of a Water Watch Winnipeg to prevent the devolution of Winnipeg’s water services.
On July 15, the Executive Policy Committee of the City of Winnipeg will be voting on the proposal to form an arm’s length Municipal Corporate Utility to manage Winnipeg’s water and waste. Once the EPC passes the motion, there will be a vote by the City Council on July 22.
The corporatization of Winnipeg’s water utility is a Trojan horse that will allow for greater privatization of public services and prevent our elected representatives from making decisions in the public interest. Experiences in other cities like Edmonton have shown that corporate utilities whose primary function is to make profits can lead to the sale of public assets, a loss of public control and transparency, rate hikes and lower quality services.
The city is attempting to rush the deal through without adequately informing and consulting the public.
There are many unanswered questions and contradictions in the proposal that is before Winnipeg City Council. The Mayor claims the corporate utility will be city-controlled, yet it will be run by an unelected board of directors with limited input from elected officials.
TAKE ACTION
If you live in the Winnipeg-area, you can:
1. E-mail your city councillor using the sample letter at http://canadians.org/action/2009/09-July-09.html.
2. Get informed by attending the public forum organized by the Provincial Council for Women on July 13, 7:00-9:30 p.m. 603 Wellington Crescent.
3. Express your concerns at the EPC meeting on July 15, 9:00 a.m. 2nd floor City Hall, 510 Main St.
4. Show your opposition to the commercialization of the Winnipeg water utility by attending the July 22, 9:30 a.m. main council chamber, 510 Main St.
If you don’t live in Winnipeg, but have friends or relatives there, please forward them this e-mail or this web-link http://canadians.org/action/2009/09-July-09.html, so that they may take action.
For additional information, please go to the campaign blog ‘AUDIO: Council of Canadians on Winnipeg’s water plans’ at http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=928.
