July 15, 2011
Provincial government axes Bill 180
By Terry Murphy CLP
Bill 180 had passage of the first and second readings in the legislature before the provincial Liberals axed it. The proposed bill would have established a not-for-profit call centre, acting as a single point-of-contact for all underground utility location services in Ontario.
Recently, Ontario Minister of Consumer Services, John Gerretsen, advised us, “With respect to your interest in mandatory participation through legislation, the government is not actively considering a legislative approach at this time, and believes the users of the system are in the best position to develop and govern a one-call-to-dig system.”
In other words, the government does not agree with the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance and its members that legislation is the way to go. By the way, the ORCGA is made up of voluntary member such as Enbridge Gas, Bell Telephone, Union Gas, Rogers Communications, Ontario Sewer and Watermain Association, many other utilities, municipalities, associations, private sector companies and Landscape Ontario.
The non-profit One Call System proposal would have helped save lives, reduce damage, prevented higher costs for all users and assist in a more efficient and productive process that ultimately gives a price break to all consumers who purchase utilities in Ontario.
This was a glorious chance for the government to bring in an established process that has been proven successful in many parts of the United States. If the process reduces costs and saves lives, one wonders why it did not receive full support and endorsement by the government of the day.
Please send your comments, suggestions and ideas to tvmurphy@ca.inter.net.
Bill 180 had passage of the first and second readings in the legislature before the provincial Liberals axed it. The proposed bill would have established a not-for-profit call centre, acting as a single point-of-contact for all underground utility location services in Ontario.Recently, Ontario Minister of Consumer Services, John Gerretsen, advised us, “With respect to your interest in mandatory participation through legislation, the government is not actively considering a legislative approach at this time, and believes the users of the system are in the best position to develop and govern a one-call-to-dig system.”
In other words, the government does not agree with the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance and its members that legislation is the way to go. By the way, the ORCGA is made up of voluntary member such as Enbridge Gas, Bell Telephone, Union Gas, Rogers Communications, Ontario Sewer and Watermain Association, many other utilities, municipalities, associations, private sector companies and Landscape Ontario.
The non-profit One Call System proposal would have helped save lives, reduce damage, prevented higher costs for all users and assist in a more efficient and productive process that ultimately gives a price break to all consumers who purchase utilities in Ontario.
Future of one call system
At the same time, the private members’ Bill 180, proposed by MPP Bob Bailey, from Sarnia Lambton, received the full endorsement from the Provincial Conservative party and its leader Tim Hudak. The Conservatives have included this Bill as part of its election platform, which is outlined in a document called Changebook. This means, we have a full commitment for the creation of a mandatory one call system across Ontario by the Conservatives, who will make it become law if they are elected this fall on Oct. 6.This was a glorious chance for the government to bring in an established process that has been proven successful in many parts of the United States. If the process reduces costs and saves lives, one wonders why it did not receive full support and endorsement by the government of the day.
Opinion
In my opinion, the Liberals missed a golden opportunity. While it is my personal observation here, all things being equal and after you consider all the parties’ platforms in the coming provincial election, and you are still undecided and on the fence about who to vote for, you might want to think about this decision by the provincial Liberals, whose party’s government axed Bill 180. Remember, the Conservatives have pledged full support of the important piece of legislation. It is something to think about.Please send your comments, suggestions and ideas to tvmurphy@ca.inter.net.