| City Scraps Water Board Plan |
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| Sunday, 11 January 2009 | |
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Congratulations to Water Watchers! After a year of phoning, faxing, meeting and writing, the City has heard the concerns of residents across Toronto. The City has abandoned their plan to create an arms-length Water Board dominated by political appointees and empowered to pursue privatization. Instead, the City has adopted the proposal put forward by the City's Water Advocate, Councillor Irene Jones. The new plan creates a committee of Council that will oversee water and wastewater issues. The Committee will be empowered to accelerate investment in infrastructure and get moving on renewing our water system. The Water and Waste Water Division at City Hall will remain part of the City staff.
A Kyoto Solution By advancing his phase-out date for Ontario’s coal-fired power plants from 2015 to 2010, Premier Eves could obtain 50% of the greenhouse gas emission reductions the entire province needs to achieve compliance with its Kyoto target for 2010. But thousands of people signed petitions, delivered fliers, called their councillors, e-mailed City staff and made their voices heard. Proponents of the Water Board acknowledged that it was the public's persistent and vocal opposition to the plan that made them change their minds. Concerns about accountability, privatization and safety were received, loud and clear, at City Hall. Everyone involved shares in an important victory: our water system stays safe, clean, accountable and public. But you also deserve credit for showing that, when we all get together, we can make anything happen. Disclaimer: The thoughts expressed in this "Eco Alert" do not belong to Festive Earth Society, nor does Festive Earth necessarily endorse the organization or individual who expresses them. Each "Eco Alert" is posted for informational purposes only. If you have any comments that you wish to express and have posted on this issue, please send them to Festive Earth at the bottom of this text. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 February 2009 ) |
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