Environmentalists, unions and some concerned residents say they will fight city hall with a campaign to make sure the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant remains under municipal control.
The city is considering selling the public utility to Epcor for the $190 million it will collect over the next 10 years, including a $75 million transfer fee and dividend payments.
A coalition that includes the Alberta Federation of Labour, the Sierra Club of Canada and the Parkland Institute have created a campaign urging residents to call city hall demanding their drainage services remain public.
“I want public business done in public by democratically elected representatives,” said Andy McCready of the Keep Drainage Edmonton coalition. McCready says he’s concerned Epcor will make decisions about drainage services behind closed doors.
The city will hold a public hearing, and then it’s expected council will make its final decision.
