Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction
Association - Healthy Communities Resolution
The Works and Utilities Committee recommends that City officials be requested to use
their best efforts to implement the Healthy Communities Resolution embodied in the
following communication (July 29, 1998) from Mr. Salvatore Morra, Executive Director,
Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association:
I am writing to secure your support on an issue of importance to the Ontario Sewer and
Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA) and our 700 member companies. We
represent the interests of the underground construction industry - the prime contractors and
suppliers who build and repair Ontario's core infrastructure - pipes that bring fresh, clean
drinking water and the sewers that take away municipal waste.
As you may know, the OSWCA has been advocating for a number of issues of importance to
municipalities including the revitalization and maintenance of core infrastructure. Full cost
accounting is one such policy. It ensures the full and actual cost of sewer and water services,
including capital costs, are paid for by users. General tax revenues, therefore, are not used to
subsidize these services.
We believe that a commitment to full cost accounting is the first step towards municipal
financial self-sufficiency in the maintenance and replacement of core infrastructure. Under
this policy, dedicated reserve funds are established to pay for regular and ongoing
infrastructure repair and replacement. To this end, the OSWCA is advocating the adoption of
a resolution in support of continued core infrastructure maintenance by municipalities.
By copy of this letter to your Clerk's Department, I am formally requesting that a
representative from our Association be permitted to appear as a deputation before Council to
make a brief presentation in support of the enclosed resolution.
Given the City of Toronto's leadership position, Mayor Lastman, we are confident that you
and your colleagues will support this resolution as a statement of principle and practice for
your municipality.
Healthy Communities Resolution
City of Toronto
WHEREAS core infrastructure consists of the water and sewer networks, which deliver clean
water to and remove waste water from the residences and businesses of the City of Toronto;
and
WHEREAS core infrastructure is the unseen yet essential network which sustains the City of
Toronto's health, wealth and viability today and in the future; and
WHEREAS communities that ignore the need for a program of regular repair and replacement
can expect the serious deterioration of their core infrastructure and the resultant negative
economic impact on their communities;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Toronto supports positive action to
ensure its future health, safety and economic viability;
AND FURTHER THAT the City of Toronto supports the establishment of a sewer and
watermain reserve account and the implementation of an ongoing sewer and watermain
infrastructure maintenance and replacement program;
AND FURTHER THAT the City of Toronto subscribes to the principle of full cost accounting
for sewer and watermain services and, more specifically, that taxpayers' money not be used to
subsidize maintenance and replacement of sewer and watermain services.
Dated this day of 1998.
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Mr. Salvatore Morra, Executive Director, Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction
Association, appeared before the Works and Utilities Committee in connection with the
foregoing matter, and submitted material with respect thereto.
