[P3 Alert] April 2004

[p3alert@lists.cupe.ca]

The real agenda behind Martin?s budget: P3s

With an election expected soon, Paul Martin?s budget plays down privatization ? but if you read between the lines, there?s no doubt about his agenda. With no new funding for health care, the pressure to privatize will continue to build.

It?s time to be ?un-Albertan?

Alberta premier Ralph Klein continues his drive to privatize, calling on Albertans to do the most ?un-Canadian? thing: challenge the Canada Health Act. The Opposition is asking Albertans to ignore their premier and be ?un-Albertan?.

Halifax gets federal funding to clean up harbour

A year after Halifax city council approved a massive project to clean up Halifax harbour, the federal government has announced $25 million in infrastructure funds to complement the public project.

Ontario pitches massive P3 plans

The Ontario government has released a discussion paper on financing for infrastructure renewal, drawing heat for its plans to privatize the province?s infrastructure.

Protest in Quebec shuts down P3 conference

A March 23 conference on P3s in health care in Quebec was cancelled after hundreds of union activists flooded the streets in Montreal to protest.

Secrecy shrouds Ontario P3 hospitals

Newly released documents show the Ontario government is moving ahead with a massive hospital privatization plan, which would see the number of P3 hospitals in the province increase to at least seven hospitals.

Privatization in BC catches fire

The Campbell government is leading British Columbia down a destructive path, says a Liberal caucus member who quit over Campbell?s push to privatize, particularly the privatization of BC Rail.

Bill 8 amendment is only a half victory

While CUPE members are pleased to see Bill 8 has been amended to exempt unions and collective agreements, concern about the threat of privatization remains.

Downloading halts PEI programs

Citing the provincial deficit, PEI Treasurer Mitch Murphy announced that the province will no longer contribute one-third of the costs of major public works projects.

BC privatized housekeeping service stains cleanliness standards

Contractors with the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Coastal health authorities are facing allegations of understaffing and inadequate training. Whistleblowers at the hospitals warn that the privateers? cost-cutting strategies don?t meet regional cleanliness standards, putting patients and workers in danger.

P3 bridge costs more

The Okanagan Mainline Municipal Association has told Kelowna city council that building a new bridge through a P3 will cost the city more than through public financing.

Public Works for transit in Quebec

After three years of complaints about delays and poor quality service, the Longueuil public transit authority has decided to end its maintenance management contract with Slivia, putting repairs and services back on track.

Abbotsford P3 hospital serves no public interest

It costs more and a 30-year agreement is unreasonably long, says an independent review on the Abbotsford P3 hospital plan.

P3 hospitals in the UK cut patient care for private profits

A new study shows that P3 hospitals in Britain are cutting patient care to pay fixed profits to a private consortium.