BCs experiment with privatization continues to rack up evidence that P3s are a bad deal for taxpayers especially when contracted work goes wrong. Vancouvers St. Pauls hospital was flooded in February after a private contractor damaged a water pipe above the emergency room. The lack of quality control resulted in major water damage to the hospitals emergency room and to patient records.
Despite this, the government agency responsible for infrastructure, Partnership BC, is moving full steam ahead in seeking private partners to upgrade the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The highway connecting Vancouver and Whistler is a major project in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The estimated cost of the project to widen and straighten the road is $600 million.
Meanwhile, support for public control of public services remains strong. A poll of 800 British Columbians indicates 91 per cent believe BCs ferry system should be publicly owned and operated. Citizens resent control by for-profit corporations of vital public services.
Despite this, the government agency responsible for infrastructure, Partnership BC, is moving full steam ahead in seeking private partners to upgrade the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The highway connecting Vancouver and Whistler is a major project in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The estimated cost of the project to widen and straighten the road is $600 million.
Meanwhile, support for public control of public services remains strong. A poll of 800 British Columbians indicates 91 per cent believe BCs ferry system should be publicly owned and operated. Citizens resent control by for-profit corporations of vital public services.