Federal budget says Stephen Harper government wants more public-private partnerships

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      Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government is working to make Canada a “leader in P3s”, the 2011 federal budget affirms.

      According to the budget, introduced today (March 22) by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, the Conservative government established PPP Canada Inc., a Crown corporation, in 2008 in order to increase the “effective use” of public-private partnerships in the country.

      Now, the federal government is “taking steps” to strengthen the role of PPP Canada, which manages the P3 Canada Fund, an infrastructure fund dedicated to public-private partnerships.

      The budget states:

      Going forward, federal departments will be required to evaluate the potential for using a P3 for large federal capital projects. All infrastructure projects creating an asset with a lifespan of at least 20 years, and having capital costs of $100 million or more, will be subjected to a P3 screen to determine whether a P3 may be a suitable procurement option. Should the assessment conclude that there is P3 potential, the procuring department will be required to develop a P3 proposal among possible procurement options.

      Departments will also be encouraged to explore the potential of P3 approaches for other types of projects and procurements of services.

      The budget notes that the new $966-million headquarters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s E Division is being built in Surrey as a P3.

      You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.

      Comments

      4 Comments

      Hub

      Mar 22, 2011 at 2:37pm

      PPP = privatizing FOR PROFIT public services.

      Are you sure you want to pay $100 for a call to 9-1-1, with a discount if we can avoid having somebody to come to rescue you?

      Gerry

      Mar 22, 2011 at 4:22pm

      Do these P3's ever save money? Or just get rid of union labour. Its an illusion of saved money.

      RonS

      Mar 22, 2011 at 4:46pm

      Well we here in BC know all about P3's. Think of it like mortgaging the future of the country for private industy. Wow doesn't that make you feel giddy for the future? Another word for it is slavery. We will pay our masters for the use of everything. What do I say about P3's? NO WAY!

      Evil Eye

      Mar 23, 2011 at 8:22am

      Um - Harpo or what ever your moniker is today ~ hasn't anyone told you that P-3's seldom save money, in fact Canadian style P-3's costs the taxpayer a lot more money in the long term.

      I guess you are a strong adherent to the Campbell style ponzie P-3's, that guarantee friends of the government huge profits provided by the taxpayer.