November 28, 2011 Mayor Jim Watson Office of the Mayor, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue

West, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J1 Councillor Maria McRae Chair of Environment Committee, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J1 Dear Mayor Jim Watson, Councillor Maria McRae and Members of City Council The Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) is a consistent and outspoken advocate for integrity and professionalism in the procurement of waste management services by municipalities and we are writing to express our concern about recent revelations in the Ottawa media. In two separate newspaper articles, on November 25th and November 26th, 2011, possible conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency in the procurement process and negotiations between the City and Plasco were identified. In view of the doubt which this media attention casts on the propriety of the procurement process, the OWMA is requesting that the Mayor, the Chair of Environment Committee as well as all Councillors, immediately cease negotiations with Plasco and that Council initiate an independent review of the technology, the business case and the procurement process to date. The independent review must be conducted by suitably qualified third party experts and the review findings should be directed to Council to provide a validation of the integrity of the procurement process. OWMA would be able to suggest independent companies that have the expertise to undertake a review. Yours truly,

Robert P. Cook Chief Executive Officer RPC/mlg

c.c. Kent Kirkpatrick, City Manager Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager

2005 Clark Blvd., Unit 3, Brampton Ontario L6T 5P8 Tel: (905) 791-9500 Toll (866) 266-9166 Fax: (905) 791-9514 www. owma.org