Keep sewage treatment public…

For taxpayers

Privatization costs more. Public-private partnerships or P3s cost more than public operation. Private corporations take on P3 projects to make money. Private financing costs more and the ‘mark up’ adds significantly to the cost of P3 projects.

For public accountability and transparency

Our local governments are elected by us and responsible to us. When control is handed to private corporations or arms-length agencies like Translink in the Lower Mainland or Seaterra in Greater Victoria, we lose local accountability and transparency. Contracts are kept secret, meetings are closed, and decisions made behind closed doors.

We also lose our say when local governments lock into decades-long contracts. These contracts limit flexibility for using new, emerging technologies or responding to new information.

For the environment

Protecting the environment and public control are linked. The public interest, not private corporate interests, should drive decisions. Local governments’ main focus is on public health and safety, not making a profit. And when things go wrong, private corporations can walk away, while government and taxpayers are left to clean up the environmental damage.

For the local economy and jobs

When contracts go to big corporations, we lose local investment, tax resources and jobs. Publicly-delivered services allow local governments to be able to offer the next generations challenging jobs that pay decently and allow the students of today to stay in our communities and have successful careers.