VANCOUVER — The GVRD did the right thing in canceling plans to put the future of our water in the hands of private foreign corporations, says CUPE B.C. President Barry O’Neill. “They are to be commended for listening to the people on this issue.”
“This is a great public victory,” O’Neill added. “It is a victory that must also be credited to the Council of Canadians and the many other organizations, such as community, environmental and senior citizens groups, who rallied to stop the privatization of the Seymour/Capilano filtration project.”
“The campaign by CUPE to bring attention to these matters has been a catalyst,” said the GVRD in announcing the cancellation.
The GVRD is to be further commended for deciding to advise the federal government on the concerns raised about the potential applicability of trade treaties to water treatment projects in Greater Vancouver.
“There is undoubtedly a deep fear that trade treaties would compromise the ability of local authorities to operate their water systems in the manner they deem to be in the community’s interest,” the GVRD said.
“We have learned that municipalities need to pay more attention to what their representatives are doing when it comes to decisions on water and other public services,” O’Neill said.
“CUPE B.C. is prepared to work with the GVRD and other municipalities in informing others about the public concerns highlighted by the water decision.”
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For more information: Barry O’Neill, CUPE B.C. President (604) 916-8444.
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