CUPE’s work on public wastewater treatment in the Capital Regional District
I am writing to you today to update you on CUPE’s work on public wastewater treatment in the Capital Regional District and to seek your help as the second phase of public consultation gets underway.
The CRD wastewater treatment project has been more than ten years in the making. CUPE has been involved from the beginning, with a goal of ensuring that the project is built as public infrastructure rather than being privately operated and controlled as a public-private partnership or P3.
At this point the work led by CUPE 1978 representing CRD workers is to ensure that as much of this project as possible remains public and that any privately controlled or P3 portion is transitioned back into public hands in a timely manner.
The current consultation will be a combination of Eastside and Westside events. There are also some events that are for all seven communities that are affected by new sewage treatment. The focus of workshops, open houses, the online survey and the storefront is largely on assessing potential sites and technologies in various combinations.
We are encouraging CUPE members and locals to take advantage of opportunities to get involved in the consultation and ensure that the interests of publicly owned and operated services are represented and remain a top priority in our region. Information about how you can get participate can be found at the bottom of this email. You should also check https://www.crd.bc.ca/project/wastewater-planning/public-consultation for the most up to date information.
It is important that wherever available to make your comments known in this survey, please do so to make sure that decision makers in the CRD hear the voices and views of those who want to ensure that these important services remain in public hands.
We have many arguments in favour of ensuring public wastewater services. Here are some key ones:
- Protecting public services for water and wastewater services is fundamental.
- Public ownership protects taxpayers’ interests. Privatization costs more.
- Public ownership and operations ensure public accountability and transparency.
- Public ownership focuses on public health and safety and protecting the environment. P3’s focus on making profits.
- Public control supports the local economy and good jobs for workers.
Thank you for your support on this important issue.
Ways to get involved:
Fill in the online survey:
http://wastewater.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/wastewater/core-area-wastewater-survey/
Visit the Storefront:
Leave a message about making sure wastewater treatment is public. The Storefront will be open until February 19 and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. A weekend schedule is not yet available. It is located beside Starbucks near the CRD building (625 Fisgard Street).
Consultation activities around the region:
As information is still being updated on the CRD website, please check before attending: https://www.crd.bc.ca/project/wastewater-planning/public-consultation
Eastside – Burnside Gorge Workshop
Feb 09, 6pm
Victoria, Burnside Gorge Community Centre
Westside – Langford -Open House
Feb 10, 5pm – 8pm
Langford, Langford City Hall
Eastside – Victoria Conference Centre Workshop
Feb 10, 5pm – 7pm
Victoria, Victoria Conference Centre
February 11 – Core Area Open House (Joint Eastside & Westside)
Details to come
Westside – Colwood Open House
Feb 13, 1pm – 4pm
Colwood City Hall
Eastside – UVIC Cadboro Commons Workshop
Feb 13, 2pm – 4pm
Victoria, Cadboro Commons – UVic
Eastside – Burnside Gorge Workshop
Feb 14, 9am – 12pm
Victoria, Burnside Gorge Community Centre
Westside – View Royal Open House
Feb 15, 5pm – 8pm
View Royal City Hall
Westside – Wastewater Esquimalt Open House
Feb 16, 5pm – 8pm
Esquimalt Town Hall