FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2002
Peel water treatment repairs delayed due to strike
MISSISSAUGA - Leah Casselman, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) held a press conference today to discuss how important repairs to Peel Region water treatment facilities, run by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) have been delayed because of the Ontario Public Service strike.
The Region’s main water supply pipe has a leak in serious need of repair. If these repairs are not done, the region’s ability to deliver water could be compromised. The area affected includes Bolton, where Premier Eves is currently contesting a by-election, and other parts of Peel Region.
“These repairs have been delayed since the start of the strike - seven weeks - that’s one week for every person who died at Walkerton,” Casselman said. “We’re here to tell the people of Peel, some of whom will be voting on Thursday, that these are the people who make sure you have water when you turn on your tap - and
that we make sure that water doesn’t kill you.”
“We wouldn’t be faced with this problem if the government would just give us an acceptable contract offer,” said Casselman. “Their job is to deliver these vital public services and at some point the people of Ontario have to start holding them accountable.”
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