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ST. JOHN’S 005400680065 Canadian Union of Public Employees has learned that Premier Brian Tobin is flying to Toronto to participate in a conference discussing ways to privatize a litany of Newfoundland and Labrador public services.

“We are deeply concerned that without debate and with no mandate, Mr. Tobin is examining ways to hand over Newfoundland’s schools, hospitals and roads to the private sector,” said Judy Darcy, National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. “Premier Tobin was elected to protect our public assets, not sell them off for profit. Privatization will cost taxpayers more and will cost Newfoundlanders accountability over their public services.”

In Toronto, Tobin will speak at a conference on Public Private Partnerships, or P3s. A front for the world’s largest corporations, the P3 conference attempts to find ways to privatize literally any public service 007300630068ools, hospitals, roads, social services and water.

Typically, P3 arrangements take the form of long-term leases, where a private company builds something and then leases it back to the public. Once the building needs repairs, at the end of the lease, the private corporation walks away, leaving the public to pick up the tab.

Huge user fees 0072006f0061d tolls, extra fees to use schools after hours, special charges to use community facilities 006100720065 typically involved as corporations need to extract as much money as possible during the lease.

P3s have been criticized by Auditors General as costing more, since the public sector can borrow money for less. In one New Brunswick example, the Auditor General said a P3 school cost almost $900,000 more because it was privatized. Similar scandals have been uncovered in health care, highways, water and social services.

“It’s important that public services not be privatized. Service declines and profits 0061006e0064 jobs 006c00650061ve the community” said Wayne Lucas, President of CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador. “Our own premier is flying to Toronto to discuss privatizing literally everything and we’ll be the ones paying more in the end.”

For More Information: Wayne Lucas, President CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador (709) 793-0732 (613) 232-2200 ( Minto Place Hotel, Friday, November 19 only)

or Karin Jordan

November18,1999 opeiu 491