Some of Manitoba’s provincial air services are closer to being privatized.
A request for proposals for the province’s Lifeflight air ambulance services and general air transport service was issued on July 6.
The new request comes months after an initial request for proposals in March. That request sought out consultants who could help draft a request for provincial aerial firefighting and air ambulance services.
According to a statement from provincial infrastructure minister Ron Schuler to The Reminder, the reason for the request for proposals is to see if it is possible to run the service more efficiently.
“Our government was elected to be more efficient and to use taxpayer dollars in a more effective way,” read the statement.
“Make no mistake, our government’s top priority is ensuring that safety and service standards remain high and that these vital services remain at the ready when Manitobans need them.”
The request for proposals has led to some backlash since it was first announced in March. At a press conference in Winnipeg on July 6, Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) president Michelle Gawronsky spoke out against the request for proposals, saying it may compromise the ability of provincial air services to handle emergencies.
“These essential services should not be auctioned off as a profit opportunity for private airline corporations,” she said.
Currently, 70 MGEU members are employed with the Air Services Branch.
With provincial air facilities and air ambulance services potentially up for grabs, attention has also turned toward provincial firefighting services. In the first request for proposals issued in March, the idea of privatizing fire suppression service, including water bombers, was discussed.
The statement from Minister Schuler said an internal program review showed contracting air services to private hands and selling off assets could lead to better, more consistent service.
Gawronsky disagrees, saying that private firefighting companies could end up taking contracts with other provinces or territories.
“Water bomber services should be based on the needs of Manitobans, not the bottom line of a private airline,” she said.
The announcement for the latest request for proposals also comes in the middle of Manitoba’s forest fire season, when water bombers are constantly on call throughout the province to help extinguish fires.
If a company fields a winning bid for provincial air services, the province will keep control of Manitoba’s water bomber fleet. According to Minister Schuler’s statement, water bombers could be leased to a successful bidder, but the government would maintain ownership of the aircraft with no option for a third party to purchase them.
“In the event that the government decides to proceed with allowing the private sector to take over this portion of air services, these aircraft may be leased to a successful proponent, with Manitoba retaining ownership of the aircraft and no option to purchase on the part of the successful bidder for providing service.”
