Swan Hills Treatment Centre (March 11)
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year the Swan Hills treatment plant cost Albertans $22 million to operate.
A review of the plant was completed one year ago. The review gives recommendations on what to do with the plant, to close it down or to keep subsidizing it.
To the Minister of Infrastructure. The government has been reviewing these recommendations for a year. What has the minister finally decided?
Mr. Danyluk: Well, Mr. Speaker, let me first tell you that the Swan Hills treatment plant has done an excellent job in helping rid the province of hazardous wastes and PCBs and dioxins. Also, let me make this very clear: the purpose of the plant is to ensure that we get rid of those PCBs. There is no doubt that the government is reviewing the recommendations, as it does every five years.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the minister publicly release the review done on the Swan Hills treatment plant? That’s my second question, sir.
Mr. Danyluk: Well, Mr. Speaker, as I said, we’re doing a comprehensive strategic assessment. But I need to express one thing: the Swan Hills treatment plant is a plant that is like a utility. It is for the insurance that the dioxins and the PCBs are taken care of in this country and in this province.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe the minister is waiting for the next review, scheduled four years from now, to make a decision. While the minister hems and haws, how many more taxpayer dollars are going to have to go to this money pit?
Mr. Danyluk: Mr. Speaker, I want to say to you that we have done a strategic review and a strategic assessment, and at this particular time we are assessing what that assessment is saying and what the recommendations are.
Alberta Hansard, March 11, 2010