P3
Buy American’ trade deal threatens municipal procurement in Canada
The “Buy American” exemption deal negotiated by Canada and the USA last week may be a serious threat to local government control over procurement policy.
Until now, municipal procurement in Canada has been exempt from international trade agreements. But the deal announced February 5th extends the Government Procurement Agreement of the WTO to cover Canadian municipalities. These WTO rules stop municipalities from implementing “buy local” or “made in Canada” preferences for purchases of goods and services.
Canada Line P3 to lose millions each year despite strong ridership
The new, $2-billion Canada Line will lose between $14 million and $21 million per year until 2025.
That's despite the fact the line is rapidly approaching the 100,000 riders per day on which the project was based.
British Columbia Utilities Commission rejects BC Hydro's long-term acquisition plan
If humans were wired with electric circuits, a lot of fuses would have been blown last week when the British Columbia Utilities Commission rejected BC Hydro's long-term acquisition plan.
Usually, commission rulings are ignored by the public, not because they don't deal with important issues, but because they are complex regulatory matters discussed in technical terms. A relatively small number of stakeholders watch the British Columbia Utilities Commission intently, but for most of us, as long as the lights go on and the hydro bills stay stable, everything is okay.
No water privatization without referendum: Winnipeg councillor
A Winnipeg city councillor plans to put forward a motion that no part of the city's water and sewer system could be sold without a referendum.
Coun. Harry Lazarenko on Wednesday said his motion set for next week's council meeting should clear up confusion about the city's plan to enter into a private-public partnership to manage the water supply.
Vancouver merchant awarded $600,000 in lawsuit over transit line
CBC Online, May 28, 2009
A Vancouver merchant who moved her business because of problems caused by the construction of a rapid transit line has won a $600,000 judgment against two B.C. government agencies and a construction consortium.
Susan Heyes, who owns the maternity wear store Hazel and Co., sued three levels of government, two government agencies and the company building the line after she said she lost $900,000 and had to remortgage her home because construction of the Canada Line route stopped customers from visiting her shop.
CTV Analysis of P3s April 30, 2009
Have public-private partnerships been good for B.C. and B.C. taxpayers? Mi-Jung Lee takes a close look at P3 infrastructure projects like the Canada Line and Abbotsford Hospital. April 30, 2009. (CTV)
The BC Liberals say that partnering with private companies on major infrastructure projects, like Abbotsford Hospital or the Canada Line, has saved taxpayers millions.
P3s: Short-term gain or long-term pain?
The National Post reports on the expectations of big returns to investors on municipal infrastructure projects, given the crumbling conditions and the commitments of senior government to rebuild.
B.C. rivers at risk from green power, report says
Public-Private Partnerships: Understanding the Challenge
On balance, our research shows that the Design-Build-Finance-Operate relationship termed P3 has significant downsides for the public interest.
Private vs Public Financing
Municipalities have been under pressure to use private partner financing and P3 arrangements that are difficult to acurately assess for risks, given the provisions for secrecy in both negotiations and contracts. A recent study of P3s in British Columbia examined the costs of private financing of public projects and found that public financing is less risky and less expensive.
