Good Morning , Regarding…

Good Morning ,
Regarding proposed changes to operating water and wastewater treatment plants with none licensed operators . The proposal is based on an emergency situation or labor agreement dispute .Of course public safety is the highest priority and having just finished graduating form the Clean Water Program i clearly understand that water and wastewater plant treatment operators are guardians of public safety . The operator licensing regulation legislated by the Ontario Government was required because of FAILED Guardians and lack of proper training resulting in 6 innocent Ontario deaths , so how is it possible to support these changes .

I oppose these changes and am quite concerned that this is a cost cutting strategy as compared to the public safety strategy that it is being promoted as , if it was public safety why has it been kept out of the media .If the change was a health issue to the public it seems odd that the majority of the public is unaware of these proposals .Perhaps the 2000 Water Crisis has been forgotten , perhaps these changes should be proposed to the public first .

The proposed changes are not defined enough and will allow owners the opportunity to abuse the the regulation and compromise public safety . This is not progress .

The Pandemic has offered some grand learning opportunities , one being safe drinking water and proper wastewater treatment is ESSENTIAL and therefore the progressive action should be putting changes forward to ensure this happens .

Drinking Water and Wastewater Operators and Plant Operations are essential to ensure Public Health
if changes are to be made , progressive thinking would be to make these public servants just as
other health care and public safety work forces , are deemed essential .

In conclusion don't move backwards by reducing talent and skill requirements of your operators
move forward make them essential and evolve with the increased demands associated with public safety
Thank you