City of Ottawa cancels waste group membership

The City of Ottawa has cancelled its membership in the Ontario Waste Management Association after the provincial group questioned the city's dealings with Plasco Energy Group.

Robert Cook, the chief executive officer of the OWNA, had sent Mayor Jim Watson, Coun. Maria McRae and council members a letter on Nov. 28 asking them to cease negotiations with Plasco, citing recent media reports that outlined possible conflicts of interest of someone in city hall who did work for both Plasco and the city.

The association, which represents hundreds of private garbage collecting and waste disposal businesses, as well as a number of municipalities, said the city should conduct an independent review of the procurement process.

But in a strongly worded response Wednesday, McRae, the chair of the city's environment committee, rebuked the group for its "unprofessional and unilateral approach" in dealing with the city.

"Surprisingly, this frank demand was sent by your organization without first seeking any additional background information on this matter from the City of Ottawa," McRae wrote.

On Friday, city staff are expected to outline for councillors the details of a long-term agreement with Plasco to take city garbage and dispose of it through its process of "plasma gasification," a process that involves heating shredded garbage to very high temperatures in the absence of oxygen so the waste does not burn.

Former councillor Alex Cullen said the city should take a second look to make sure they are doing the right thing.

"I think the city would have to do an independent assessment of the proposal coming from Plasco in order to make sure it's getting objective advice," said Cullen.

University of Ottawa political science professor Caroline Andrew also said the much discussed lobbyist registry, which was  sent back for reworking Thursday, could provide more transparency in these kinds of situations.