An update on the ongoing boil water advisory in Prince Rupert dominated the first city council meeting of 2019, but a citizen advocate group is criticizing council for using the meeting to shut down discussion of the problem.
He said city council’s focus was on people posting complaints on social media and not on short-term solutions.
"This was city council on the attack for people being critics," he told Carolina de Ryk host of CBC’s Daybreak North.
Boil water advisory in Week 5 The City of Prince Rupert is in the fifth week of a boil water advisory.
In mid-December, water tests revealed higher levels of cryptosporidium and giardia, parasites that cause gastrointestinal distress and fever.
Local residents have taken to social media to vent their frustrations and call for more action from city council.
Coun.
He opened by addressing members of the public.
Kertes said that instead of calling out newcomers or social media users, the meeting should have been used to discuss immediate solutions for vulnerable people or those who don’t have the capacity to boil large quantities of water.
"They were angry at people in the city for speaking out about this issue," he said.