Infrastructure Minister David Caplan has outlined plans about how the Ontario government will finance new infrastructure projects - building and improving hospitals, schools, sewers, water systems, and roads - in the coming three decades. The provinces plans could see Ontario residents paying road and bridge tolls, higher user fees for water and other services as well as more P3s.
Earlier this year, Caplans ministry released a paper supporting private financing as an alternative to fund future infrastructure projects. In its response, CUPE documented failing examples of P3s and privatization at home and aboard, and warned of higher risks and costs.
Critics of the announced $100-billion plan say private-sector involvement will end up costing everyone more. CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan said CUPE will fight private involvement in infrastructure projects, particularly hospitals.
This is a major collision course, Ryan said. Im not going to stand by and allow my members to be laid off.
I think the Liberal government is signalling to the development community that, its full-speed ahead and let er rip, boys, because the treasury is open, said New Democrat house leader Peter Kormos.