27th May 2011

Sooke Activists Gear up for a Fight

A group of Sooke citizens who are concerned with the District of Sooke's plans to sign away exclusive 21-year rights for a private corporation (EPCOR) to run their wastewater system for a profit, have formed "Sooke Water Watch."

There is a short window of opportunity to counter these privatization plans. According to the Community Charter, the District of Sooke cannot sign the private wastewater deal without the approval of Sooke residents. However, under this Alternative Approval Process, if a Sooke resident does nothing to indicate opposition to the plan, the district automatically assumes that the resident agrees with the plans to privatize Sooke wastewater services for the next 21 years.

Should 10% of Sooke residents indicate opposition to the plan (that's 1,000 signed forms) the proposed agreement must go to a referendum and the residents of Sooke will get to decide whether or not this long-term contract to privatize wastewater services should be signed.

The forms (called ELECTOR RESPONSE FORMs) can be found at the District of Sooke office at 2205 Otter Point Road and must be signed before 9am on Monday, June 27, 2011.

Should you wish to help the Sooke Water Watch collect signatures, please email them sookewaterwatch(at)live.ca

For more information about Sooke Water Watch, visit their Facebook Page.

5-WEEK CAMPAIGN TIMELINE

May

The campaign began Tuesday, May 24th

Friday, May 27th: Sooke Water Watch press release

Saturday, May 28th: Leafleting outside grocery stores 10am

Monday, May 30th: Community group meet.

June

Wednesday, June 1st: Sooke Water Watch ad in Sooke Mirror (1/2 page)

Saturday, June 4th: Leafleting outside grocery stores 10am

Wednesday, June 9th: CUPE “It's a Bad Deal” Ad

Direct mail to Sooke residents from Sooke Water Watch

Saturday, June 11th: Leafleting outside grocery stores 10am

Wednesday, June 15th: CUPE “It's a Bad Deal” Ad

Wednesday, June 16th: Sooke Water Watch ad: Advertising Movie night “Water for Money”

Saturday, June 25th: Leafleting outside grocery stores 10am

June 22nd: Community Water Movie Night - “Water Makes Money”

Direct mail to Sooke residents from Sooke Wate Watch

June 27th 9AM: ELECTOR RESPONSE FORM DEADLINE