WEEKLY UPDATE - FEB 3

Welcome back to the Weekly Wrap Up! I hope everyone is staying warm during this frigid weather. Last week had only one Committee meeting with one item on the agenda.

At Utility Committee, we discussed EPCOR’s use of water meters that are made by an Israeli company that has been criticized for water exploitation. I’m grateful for the speakers who came out and whose questions raised a number of important issues.

A key takeaway for me was how locked-in EPCOR is to their current technology. Decisions made years ago have meant we have no alternatives to implement smart metering, something that’s imperative for the future of our utility. This leaves us vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. I also learned that due to trade agreements and being owned by a municipality, EPCOR faces restrictions in their procurement processes. They have to comply with open tendering processes and aren’t able to disqualify producers that otherwise meet Canadian trade standards.

We can’t address these challenges as the regulator, but they are questions that Council can raise as the shareholder. I’m hopeful EPCOR can find new procurement approaches that minimize risk and align with the values of Edmontonians. Thanks again to the speakers for coming out.

That was all for last week! Next week has two important reports coming up - our Public Spaces Bylaw and an accelerated construction schedule for the LRT. I encourage you to give them a read and let me know your thoughts! https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/council-committee-meetings