The Coast Reporter reports, “A group has formed in opposition of Sechelt’s newly announced $22.4 million wastewater treatment facility — a project waiting on final signatures from the District and the consortium hired to build it before they proceed. Activist Jef Keighley has created the Coalition for Responsible Public Participation in Sechelt’s Wastewater Plan and his group is ‘calling for public action’ with a protest outside council chambers scheduled for March 13 at 12:30 p.m.”
“The protest is meant to get the attention of council and stop them from finalizing the deal with the Maple Reinders consortium, chosen to build the new sewage treatment plant. The consortium also includes Veolia Water and Urban Systems. …Veolia is the world’s largest water service provider and Keighley’s group has found many negative articles and reports on-line about Veolia’s past business practices. Reports that call into question the company’s motives and commitment to the environment as well as its track record in other U.S. cities are being pointed to by the group as reasons to ‘refrain from signing any binding contracts with the Veolia consortium’ until more public consultation can take place.”
“Coast Reporter has been trying to schedule an interview with representatives from Veolia to address concerns; however, Sechelt Mayor John Henderson said that meeting cannot take place until ‘after the public open house’ scheduled for March 19 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Seaside Centre.”
The District of Sechelt has a population of just over 8,000 people and is located on the lower Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, about 50 kilometres northwest of Vancouver.
For more, please see:
Protest planned for new treatment plant
NEWS: Sechelt pursues P3 sewage treatment plant with Veolia
