A City Council decision is expected as soon as this February which will select one of three multinational corporations as a private partner to design, build, finance and possibly operate our waste water facilities.

The following information comes from the Council of Canadians and the Canadian Federation of Students. The research and the sources for the research which identify serious concerns about the track records of these companies can be viewed in more detail at www.canadianswinnipeg.com  There is also an online petition that you can sign on the website.

Here is a summary:

WARNING: EARLY IN 2010 CITY HALL WILL VOTE ON ONE of THREE
PRIVATE PARTNERS FOR WINNIPEG’S WASTE WATER UPGRADES
HERE ARE YOUR OPTIONS:

CH2MHILL:

Colorado: cancelled contracts with CH2M HILL cost taxpayers $4.1 million
US Inspector General: reports contracts cancelled due to cost overruns
New Orleans: CH2M HILL criticized for monopolizing disaster relief.
Sandy Springs: CH2M HILL “controls entire city infrastructure”, public left out of discussions

BLACK & VEATCH:

Oregon: Black & Veatch charged with Unfair Labour Practices
Escambia: county utility fires B&V for violating water quality regulations in sewer plant upgrades
Des Moines, Iowa: B&V builds sludge storage close to homes, forcing people to relocate
Afghanistan: B&V facility reported to have significant planning problems, cost overruns and corruption

VEOLIA WATER:

Indianapolis: Veolia error leads to 40,000 school children on boil water alert.
Puerto Rico: government commission finds Veolia $695 million in operational losses
Stockholm, Sweden: City rejects Veolia due to company’s unethical business practices overseas
New Orleans: Veolia channels raw sewage into Mississippi River

YOU CAN STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING
KEEP our SERVICES PUBLIC

Contact your city councillor and MLA and say NO to the strategic partner!
Contact www.canadianswinnipeg.com  to sign an online petition and for more info.

WINDSOR HOTEL PETITION

There is an online petition available if you wish to express your support for the Windsor Hotel, a long standing blues venue in our Downtown. 

Here is the web link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/blu3/petition.htm

FALON DAFA ASSOCIATION OF WINNIPEG PRESENTS THE SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS
As an honourary patron of this event and an advocate for the human rights of Falon Gong practicitioners in China , I wanted to make you aware of an exciting cultural event coming to town that is hosted by the Falun Dafa Association of Winnipeg.

Here is some information about the event:
Shen Yun Performing Arts is a world premier classical Chinese dance and music company. It has performed around the globe for nearly 300 shows reaching over 800,000 audiences last year. The Shen Yun performance-critically acclaimed as “the best,” “breathtaking,” and “brilliant,” have delighted audiences of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities worldwide. Inspired by ancient Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, Shen Yun portrays 5000 years of Chinese culture and conveys messages of virtue, compassion, and strength of the human spirit, leaving audiences educated, uplifted and inspired.
They will perform at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg on April 7 and 8, 2010. Discounts for seniors, students and group tickets are available. Call Ticketmaster at (204) 253-ARTS (2787) or visit www.ticketmaster.ca  .
For more info:
http://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/winnipeg
http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/1354996 
http://www.vimeo.com/8113735 
Presented by Falun Dafa Association of Winnipeg

REMINDER OF CITIZEN’ COALITION AGM
 
Annual General Meeting of the Winnipeg Citizens? Coalition
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 6:30 pm
Convocation Hall, University of Winnipeg
515 Portage Ave.

Special Guest Speaker:
Charley Beresford of the Columbia Institute (www.columbiainstitute.ca)  and the Centre for Civic Governance
(www.civicgovernance.ca)
 
For more information, contact the Winnipeg Citizens? Coalition at
www.ourwinnipeg.org

Thank you for your interest in Civic Issues!

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