Thumbs upto the Town of Conception Bay South, where the mayor and council are clear that new sewage treatment plants will be publicly funded, owned and operated. The first plant will be open in 2003. Just across the bay from St. Johns, the towns decision sets an example for the much-needed St. Johns harbour cleanup.
Thumbs upto CUPE Newfoundland and St. Johns Mayor Andy Wells, for their commitment to a public solution to clean up St. Johns harbour. The mayor recently renewed his promise to build publicly-owned and operated sewage treatment plants. CUPE has renewed its call for federal and provincial infrastructure funding to get the project moving.
Thumbs downto the City of St. Johns, for contracting out municipal work. Beginning this spring, services including bulk garbage pickup, sidewalk repairs, fire hydrant painting, lawn cutting and more will be handed over to the private sector.
Thumbs upto the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, for its moves to preserve access to post-secondary education. Tuition fees have been frozen since 1998. In 2001, the government granted Memorial University, Grenfell College and Marine Institute a 10 per cent reduction in user fees, and promised a further 15 per cent reduction by 2003.