Halifax Regional Municipality released an update on its broken sewage treatment plant yesterday, but the contents of a draft report into what caused the malfunction remain a secret – even to city councillors.
Mayor Peter Kelly is the only elected representative who has read a preliminary report by the company tasked to complete a forensic investigation of the failure.
“HRM and Halifax Water understand the public interest in this important project, which is why due diligence is being exercised to protect the multi-million dollar investment that taxpayers have made,” the update says. “(We) must be vigilant in safeguarding the confidentiality of material.”
Outside of City Hall yesterday, Northwest Arm-South End Coun. Sue Uteck commended the mayor for releasing at least some information.
“It says to the public that we’re moving on this.”
But she also said all councillors should be able to read the report, while taxpayers should have access to minutes from confidential meetings about the sewage screw-up.
During another closed-door meeting yesterday, council voted to wait until June 30 to view the forensic findings. Even then, information won’t be made public.
Nevertheless, Kelly told reporters yesterday “we are committed to giving information as soon as we can.”
