City of Kingston to consider moving water and waste water to an MSC, one group says it's reckless

A staff report is expected to go to Council on Tuesday.

A plan by the City of Kingston to create a municipal services corporation for water and waste water services is getting opposition from a community group.

The Coalition of Kingston Communities claims the City is making backroom deals to establish the corporation.

Chair Christine Sypnowich says they recently submitted a Freedom of Information request and saw something startling.

A staff report is expected to go before Council on Tuesday.

Mayor Bryan Paterson says Council has been front and centre on the issue but some there were some discussions in closed session as it pertains to City-owned property and those working in that area.

He says plans to establish a municipal services corporation is still in its infancy.

The City is looking for ways to pay for future infrasture upgrades without adding to an already increasing tax levy.

Paterson says by having a municipal services corporation it will help ease that financial burden.

But Synpowich says it makes no sense to have a municipal services corporation.

She says her group and others are worried that something like Walkerton, where the town's water supply was tainted with e-coli in 2000, could happen here.

According to the staff report, under the proposed municipal services corporation, the City would become the sole shareholder and Utilities Kingston would continue to provide day-to-day oversight and operate water and wastewater services.  

Story by Ken Hashizume