[getsmart-l] ONTARIO: Survey discloses position of political parties on future of drinking water

[Media Release]

Emacs!



Media Release - For Immediate Release


OMWA declares success in standing up for water consumers

Survey discloses position of political parties on future of drinking water

(Toronto, September 25, 2007) A survey issued by 
the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA) 
has succeeded in getting Ontario's political 
parties to be upfront with their plans for public drinking water.

"Ontario families have a right to know that the 
water coming out of their taps over the next four 
years will remain safe, clean, and publicly 
available at a price that is affordable to all," 
said Diane Gagner, President of OMWA.

Municipal leaders are concerned that a wave of 
government red tape is just around the corner, 
which could cause water rates to spike by at 
least 10-15%. The rise in price would be spent on 
a new layer of administrative bureaucracy rather 
than on investing in the safety of our drinking 
water. An Ontario government commissioned report, 
'Watertight: The case for change in Ontario's 
water and wastewater sector,' recommended the 
creation of a new provincial agency to scrutinize 
and approve the administration and rate setting 
of over 700 local water operations.

Similar oversight agencies, like the Ontario 
Energy Board, have failed to keep rates in check. 
As Diane Gagner explained, "Given successive 
governments' inability to control the electricity 
sector's bureaucracy and debt in Ontario, 
recommending that a similar model be imposed on 
the water sector is simply unacceptable."

As a result of the OMWA survey, two of the 
leading political parties, the Liberal Party of 
Ontario, and the New Democratic Party of Ontario, 
have publicly rejected the 'Watertight' 
recommendation for an Ontario Water Board, while 
the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party did 
not directly state its position on the issue.

"We are delighted to provide to Ontario water 
consumers greater clarity on the future of 
drinking water delivery in the Province," said 
Diane Gagner. "We look forward to working with 
the next Ontario government to keep drinking 
water, safe, affordable, and publicly available."

"Privatizing our drinking water, creating new 
oversight agencies, or forcing the 
regionalization of water systems will only serve 
to drive up rates needlessly," said Diane Gagner.

-30-

For more information:

Doug Parker
Executive Director
Ontario Municipal Water Association
Cell: (613) 847-0590

Diane Gagner
President
Ontario Municipal Water Association
Cell: (519) 401-8484

For the full text of responses to the OMWA 
survey, please visit the OMWA website at www.omwa.org.


Backgrounder:

Response highlights: OMWA Survey on the 
Regulation of the Ontario Drinking Water Sector

In response to a survey issued by the Ontario 
Municipal Water Association (OMWA) at the start 
of the Ontario election, the three leading 
political parties gave their prescription for 
ensuring affordable drinking water for Ontario 
water consumers while maintaining the highest standard of safety.

Below are highlights of comments of the Ontario 
Liberal Party, the Ontario Progressive 
Conservative Party and the Ontario New Democratic Party.

With two out of three parties rejecting the 
creation of an Ontario Water Board, OMWA 
interprets these responses to mean that there is 
strong support for protecting locally-owned 
drinking water services. There also appears to be 
support from all parties for continued or 
enhanced infrastructure funding support.


Highlights

1.   'If your party wins the October 10th 
election, what three priorities would your 
government institute to maintain safe drinking 
water at an affordable cost across Ontario?'


Ontario Liberal Party Response

Since 2003, have dedicated $2 billion to assist 
municipalities in upgrading their water and wastewater systems.
Will ensure that support continue for municipal 
licensing program, standard of care, lead 
corrosion control plans, source protection, and financial plans.

Make amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act 
regulations to better match size of system and risk in those systems.


Progressive Conservative Response

Working with Federal Government to define list of 
high risk chemicals in Ontario and requiring 
businesses that use them to inform themselves of 
innovative opportunities to phase them out.

Conserve green spaces for the future, including 
the greenbelt area around the GTA.

Protect Ontario's clean water supply by fully 
implementing all of the O'Connor Commission 
recommendations
 focus on Lake Simcoe and the 
Great Lakes 
eliminating primary treated sewage by 2015.

Create a special commission to make current 
environmental legislation work faster and more efficiently.

Tailor standards to local needs, instead of 
imposing provincial standards that don't make sense.


New Democratic Party  Response

Would fully upload downloaded provincial costs by 
2015. Funds formally used to fund provincial 
programs would be freed up to assist with the 
proper maintenance and upgrading of water infrastructure.

Is committed to increasing funding for 
enforcement at the Ministry of the 
Environment  by $75 million annually and at the 
Ministry of Natural Resources by $50 million.

Would introduce meaningful volume-based 
water-taking fees on large industrial users and 
water bottlers with the funds delegated to 
implementing source water protection in Ontario.



2.   'If your party wins the October 10th 
election, would your government implement the 
Watertight recommendations regarding creation of 
an Ontario Water Board and requirements for 
submission of municipal water system business 
plans and annual reporting to the Ontario Water Board?'


Ontario Liberal Party Response

'
our government will not implement the 
recommendations regarding the creation of an 
Ontario Water Board. The approach we have taken 
is that financial plans are to be prepared by 
municipal drinking water systems as one 
requirement of their drinking water licensing process
'


Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Response

n/a


Ontario New Democratic Party Response

'No. Our water resources and distribution systems 
need to be under democratic control and fully 
accountable and transparent in their operations. 
We would seek to ensure that water systems are 
properly funded and protection is consistent across the province.'


--end--

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