CUPE 2380 members are warning that Town Council’s plan to restructure Penetanguishene’s water and wastewater operations will lead to higher costs for residents and a loss of local control over the community’s most critical services.
In December, council announced it is considering either merging the water and wastewater departments or contracting a third-party operator. According to CUPE 2380, both options point toward the same outcome: outsourced jobs and poorer quality services.
Water and wastewater are distinct systems that require highly specialized licensing. Without a years-long investment in training and recruiting dual-licensed operators, any attempt to merge the departments is destined to fail—leaving outsourcing as the only remaining option.
CUPE 2380 president, Megan Varga, says council is using an alleged workforce crisis to justify a predetermined solution.
“Town Council says they’re responding to staffing challenges, but they haven’t released the report or data they’re relying on,” said Varga. “They’ve manufactured a problem and are putting their finger on the scale to reach the outcome they want, which is to outsource jobs. Residents deserve transparency and accountability when it comes to services as vital as water. This plan delivers neither.”
The union points to other municipalities in the region that have contracted the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) and experienced significant cost increases. In neighbouring Tay Township, water rates were already higher than Penetanguishene’s before OCWA was brought in and have since climbed to two or three times what Penetanguishene residents currently pay.
As a profit-based agency, OCWA has less incentive to invest in long-term maintenance and infrastructure. While OCWA does not set water rates directly, municipalities are often forced to raise rates to cover the costs of OCWA’s service model, including major upgrades and system replacements.
“We’ve seen this story before,” said Varga. “Hydro was privatized and bills went up. Policing was transferred to the OPP and costs far exceeded what residents were promised. Water is too precious to outsource.”
Varga emphasized the importance of local accountability, noting that municipal water operators live in the community they serve. That is the message she will deliver to council during their Wednesday meeting.
“These workers drink the water. Their families swim in it,” she said. “That connection matters. Instead of contracting workers who have no ties to the community, council should be investing in highly skilled local workers.”
Council announced its plans the same day bargaining was set to begin with CUPE 2380. Members are calling on residents to make their voices heard and urge Council to protect good union jobs while keeping water services safe, affordable, and locally accountable.