However Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 786 members are raising concerns about the potential privatization.
The twenty-year agreement, with an option for renewal, will pay Catalyst $750,000 annually to treat the region’s wastewater. With the signing, Catalyst dropped their appeal of a court decision upholding the company’s property tax rates, and agrees to pay a reduced tax rate to the city.
Catalyst’s cheque for outstanding taxes is being held in trust until the city implements the business plan on privatization.
CUPE 798 will work with community groups to ensure that public trust is maintained and that residents get high quality services.
The Capital Regional District in greater Victoria recently voted in favor of public wastewater treatment after a public outcry. They decided to move forward with the public option after reviewing the financial and community implications of private procurement.
Graham Mahy, president of CUPE 798, said: “Privatization of water or wastewater treatment has been proven time and time again to be a bad idea. Water and wastewater should not be entrusted to a private company. The public should have control and accountability.”
Barry O’Neill, president of CUPE BC, said: “In Victoria, public sewage was shown to be more affordable and accountable than private. The City of Powell River’s approach to a difficult situation will create more problems than it solves.”
