Winnipeg Sun columnist Joyanne Pursaga writes today that, “If Winnipeg city council spends $1 billion on anything, the voters who foot the bill deserve some details. That’s why it perplexes me that our current city council divulged so little information about the massive 30-year deal it signed with Veolia Canada to manage our wastewater.”
THE COSTS: “So far, it’s estimated the deal is worth at least $660 million to design, build and operate two wastewater plants, plus other costs expected to raise the tab to around $1.2 billion or more. Veolia will also help manage the facilities once they’re built.”
CITY COUNCILLORS HAVEN’T SEEN THE DEAL: “When the city approved the deal, four councillors voted against it because even they didn’t get to see the contract before the vote took place, which hardly makes for an educated decision.”
COUNCIL OF CANADIANS REQUESTS COPY OF THE CONTRACT: “In that context, it’s no surprise one advocacy group is trying to make the mysterious deal a 2010 civic election issue. The Council of Canadians has filed an official complaint about the wastewater deal with the provincial ombudsman. The city still awaits provincial approval on the deal. The group also requested a copy of the contract under freedom of information legislation, which the city denied.”
MAYORAL CANDIDATE SPEAKING AGAINST THE DEAL: “Mayoral candidate Judy Wasylycia-Leis is also speaking out against the deal, arguing it exemplifies council’s ‘culture of secrecy,’ which she promises to abolish if elected.”
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: “It is a key city service that affects our waterways and sanitation, especially if it’s not handled properly. In a city where each councillor’s expenses — sometimes right down to the last $20 cab ride — can make the news, shouldn’t this massive tax dollar investment attract a little more attention? …Mayor Sam Katz claims divulging details of the deal would violate business confidentiality. But that definitely shouldn’t outweigh council’s responsibility to be open and accountable to voters. …Katz insists this partnership will save ratepayers 10-20% on sewer treatment upgrades. But that reassurance would go a lot farther if he would explain how exactly that money will be saved. At the very least, voters should know exactly how much the deal is worth, what Veolia will be paid and why we should align this utility with one company for three decades. Voters should be told why we’re not entering a contract for just a few years, which could then be renewed or dropped based on performance. If City Hall has a valid reason for agreeing to such a lengthy term, they should share it with the rest of us.”
Pursaga concludes, “If the city wants the public to support the Veolia deal, why not try to win them over with the facts?”
The full column is at http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/columnists/joyanne_pursaga/2010/09/24/15466311.html.
