Politicians know Canadians don’t want anything to do with corporate control of our water systems. So they’ve tried to reassure us with contracts that restrict the privateer’s role.
But in Moncton, we see what happens when you give corporations an inch. Having secured a 20-year contract to provide drinking water treatment, Vivendi-owned US Filter took advantage of an opening in its contract to propose that it take control of the city’s water distribution system.
The untendered, secret bid had the support of a pro-privatization mayor and city manager. And it would have succeeded but for the vigilance — and persistence — of community opponents.