Winnipeg Labour Council

WARNING!
Waste Water Private Partnership Hazardous

Last July, Winnipeg City Council passed a motion to create a Municipal Corporate Utility and asked the Province of Manitoba to pass a regulation under Section 212 of The City of Winnipeg Charter to establish the corporation. The justification for the new utility is the required - and much-needed - upgrades of the city's wastewater treatment plants, for which it is seeking to form a partnership with a private, for-profit, multinational corporation.

A Winnipeg City Council decision is expected as soon as this February which will select one of three multi-national corporations as a private partner to design, build, finance and possibly operate Winnipeg's waste water facilities. All Manitobans have the right and the responsibility to be involved in major decisions affecting our water.

Water is not only a foundation of a strong community, but also a key lever of our economy that must not be treated as a commodity. Several web sites are providing vital information on the key aspects of this issue - both of which make it easy for you to make your voice heard by people who will be involved in making the decisions concerning the future of Winnipeg's water and waste facilities.

A May 2008 Nanos Research survey of Canadians revealed that 76 per cent of respondents trusted public delivery of water more than private for drinking water and sewage treatment. Citizens trust that any responsible public utility is built on a solid foundation of analysis, research, legislation and policy, public consultation, professional input and a commitment to public service.

We need legal assurances that this responsibility and these assets and resources cannot be sold, leased, given away or otherwise handed over to any private entity. Regulations must give priority to public benefit over private profit. The public interest cannot be advanced or protected where profit is the determining factor in how a utility is run or how services are delivered. Our water resources must not be sacrificed for profit!

A third-party analysis is a requirement to ensure the accuracy of cost savings projections. Preferential rates to safeguard access to services for all citizens in the service area must take priority over revenue generation! The Council of Canadians and the Canadian Federation of Students says that research has identified some serious concerns about the track records of the companies being considered as 'partners'. Full details can be viewed at www.canadianswinnipeg.com. There is also an online petition that you can sign on the website. Here is a summary of what's on that web site.

Early in 2010 City Hall will vote on one of three private partners for Winnipeg's waste water upgrades. Here is some information about the organizations being considered by the city.

CH2MHILL:
Colorado: cancelled contracts with CH2M HILL cost taxpayers $4.1 million. US Inspector General reports contracts cancelled due to cost overruns.
New Orleans: CH2M HILL criticized for monopolizing disaster relief.
Sandy Springs: CH2M HILL "controls entire city infrastructure", public left out of discussions.

BLACK & VEATCH:
Oregon: Black & Veatch charged with Unfair Labour Practices.
Escambia: county utility fires B&V for violating water quality regulations in sewer plant upgrades.
Des Moines, Iowa: B&V builds sludge storage close to homes, forcing people to relocate.
Afghanistan: B&V facility reported to have significant planning problems, cost overruns and corruption

VEOLIA WATER:
Indianapolis: Veolia error leads to 40,000 school children on boil water alert.
Puerto Rico: government commission finds Veolia $695 million in operational losses.
Stockholm, Sweden: City rejects Veolia due to company's unethical business practices overseas.
New Orleans: Veolia channels raw sewage into Mississippi River

You can stop Winnipeg from falling into a similar situation. You can help keep our services public. Contact your city councillor and MLA and say NO to the strategic partner! Go to www.canadianswinnipeg.com to sign an online petition and for more information. You can sign also sign a letter that will be sent to the decision makers on the www.insidethebottle.org web site.