Winnipeggers have endured one of the most challenging winters in a century, and we’re about to pay for it (Snow Removal Budget Blown, June 14). But it’s not Old Man Winter who is fronting us with the bill; it’s Finance Chair Russ Wyatt. In September 2013, Councillor Wyatt acknowledged that there could be significant cost savings found in bringing snow clearing back in-house as a public service. Currently, about 80% of our snow clearing is provided by private contractors. These contractors’ primary interest, as with all private business, is to make a profit. And there is nothing wrong with a business making a profit. Unless, of course, that profit is being made on the backs of taxpayers.
How much of the $40.6 million spent on snow clearing could have been saved by having our own City crews provide the service? How much of it went directly to profit, rather than to clearing snow? When will Winnipeg get its act together, and bring this service back in-house?
These are questions we should all be asking when candidates for the upcoming civic election come knocking at our doors.
Mike Davidson
President, CUPE Local 500
