Despite some concerns from the public, Portage la Prairie City Council is moving forward with investigating a public-private partnership (P3) for multi-million dollar upgrades to their wastewater treatment facility. Last night's Council meeting saw many attend, speaking against the possible private involvement in the utility. Concerns varied from job losses and lack of consultation with the union, to concerns over water rates due to the expected profits for the private company.

Terry thompson speaks to council

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local President Terry Thompson attended the meeting and shared his concerns over the possible private involvement. While the City's including some measures to protect jobs, he questioned just how effective those measures were. Under the agreement, the City would ensure all current employees would remain in their positions while working for the private company. If they preferred not to be involved in the private sector, they'd be able to work in another area of the city. Thompson says while that does offer some assurance, it really doesn't address the needs of wastewater employees.

"A lot of the councillors had a concern about the employees losing their jobs, so they have a job to go to if they choose. They don't have to, they can work somewhere in the city but if you're an operator of a wastewater facility, where else do you go. If you don't like the company you're working for you have to leave the community."

He also feels as if Council had already made their decision prior to the meeting, noting those who support P3's are often able to make a good cause, but may be manipulating the statistics.

Mayor Irvine Ferris says he understands all of the concerns put forward by the public, but says there should be a sense of reassurance given the City still owns the facility, and would be responsible for setting water rates. When it comes to how the company can make a profit by investing in the city's water treatment plant, Ferris says they'd pay whichever company they partner with on an annual basis. He admits it may cost a bit more in the long run, but feels it's worth it if it means offloading the risk of severe delays or having the project going over budget. 

Mayor Irvine Ferris listens to concerns over P3

"We've seen enough examples of large projects, certainly within the city of Portage we had the PCU Centre which started off at $36 million and wound up at $47.5. There was the Winnipeg airport, or Investors Group Field which was behind schedule, costs were higher, and there were problems with the actual construction. This really transfers a lot of that risk to the private sector, but there's a price you have to pay for it."

Councillor and Waterworks Chair Wayne Wall also supported moving forward with the discussions surrounding a private-public partnership. Wall entered the initial discussions with an understanding of the coming concerns, noting he was previously the vice-president of the local CUPE chapter when he worked as a maintenance foreman at the plant.

"I have a long experience. I worked with most of the people that still work there. I was there for 20 years, and the last thing in the world I would ever do is put their jobs at risk."

Just what the annual cost of the partnership will be for the City has yet to be determined. The transfer of risk, along with the viability of what they're paying is currently being kept under wraps, to ensure they're able to hold a fair request for proposals, to help choose the best company for the partnership.