November 28, 2007

Public support for public-private partnerships remains strong, says council

VINCE VERSACE

STAFF WRITER

Canadians have once again stated they believe the private and public sectors need to work together to tackle building challenges such as new hospitals and aging bridges.

The Canadian public is realizing the seriousness of the need as they experience things like road closures and delays,” says David McFadden, Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnership (CCPPP) director. “The need is evident to anyone looking around.”

A CCPPP recent poll revealed that 63 per cent of Canadians believe the private sector should get involved with governments to help build and finance new hospitals, schools, roads water and sewage treatment facilities, transit and electricity services.

The CCPPP released its poll results at its 15th annual national conference. Jim Flaherty, federal finance minister, agrees with the poll results. Flaherty states that private-public sector partnerships must be the way of the future to tackle Canadian infrastructure needs. Flaherty says such a process will deliver projects in the most efficient and fastest way. “Public-private partnerships can play an important role in getting much of this work done now without putting a bigger burden on Canadian taxpayers,” says Flaherty. “Provincial and municipal government should access the process.”

Seventy-three per cent of Canadians surveyed supported private sector involvement in the construction and maintenance of roads, 71 per cent supported this involvement in the construction and operation of public recreation facilities such as ice rinks and pools. Sixty-six per cent supported private sector involvement in public transit system building and operation.

McFadden notes that the fact this year’s level of support of private-public partnerships is equal to last year’s. This consistent level of support is an indicator that governments need to begin coming together to determine how to pursue “Three P” systems to meet taxpayer needs. He notes that British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec have created strong models already.

“All levels of government need to set aside their ideologies and political shots,” says McFadden. “They need to leave their political guns at the door.”

Support of private-public sector partnerships is strongest in Quebec at 76 per cent, followed by the Prairie provinces at 65 per cent, Atlantic Canada at 63 per cent and Ontario and British Columbia at 56 per cent.

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