Issues and Solutions

Privatization has caused serious detriment to communities around the globe and as such has faced strong resistance from local communities and developed a bad name for itself. To circumvent the negativity associated with privatization and the community resistance that accompanies that, privatization now often appears under the language of "Public-Private Partnerships," also known as P3s. Or, serving a similar function in circumventing public resistance, the move to privatize happens behind closed doors and away from the public eye, as with the sale of EPCOR assets to create Capital Power, a move that the Our Power Citizens Group is organizing against.

The solution is clear: keep our services public for equity, accountability and transparency.

Public-Private Partnerships (P3s): More Expensive, Less Effective

As an alternative to outright privatization, the Provincial government is aggressively promoting public-private partnerships (P3s). In the standard P3 arrangement, a private company designs, builds, finances and operates (DBFO) a facility or piece of infrastructure, and the government makes regular payments to use or lease the asset. The government ultimately pays the entire project cost; P3s do not provide a new source of capital.

P3s are a major area of concern. Click here to learn more.

The push for privatization and the Capital Power Deal

In Alberta, despite the strength of public opposition, there has been a concerted push to privatize our public services. In April of 2009, in total secrecy, the Mayor, City Council and EPCOR’s Board of Directors took EPCOR ownership from Edmontonians, selling off billions of dollars worth of electrical generating assets. PIA brought together many organizations, unions and concerned citizens to challenge this massive privatization, and the Our Power Citizens Group was established, moblizing citizens, launching legal challenges, and continuing to engage in resisting such anti-democratic practices occuring against the public interest.

Click here to learn more about Our Power and their involvement on our task force.