“Privatization” is a word being tossed around a lot these days in Flin Flon and area.
As his own government relentlessly jacks up the cost of electricity, MLA Clarence Pettersen regularly accuses his political opponents of wanting to privatize Manitoba Hydro.
What’s interesting about that allegation is that Hydro’s unionized electrical workers very publicly fear Pettersen and his NDP will sell off the utility first. (Google “NDP privatize Hydro” for more.)
Across the border, the Saskatchewan government is examining the possibility of privatizing the Creighton Liquor Store – and the province’s entire alcohol retail system.
Some fear that Premier Brad Wall has already made up his mind on the issue and that the public consultations the province is holding will – surprise, surprise – line up with Wall’s ideology.
If you’re someone who believes in government-vended booze, that’s a very real concern. Rarely do public consultations change a government’s mind; more commonly they simply give elected officials cover to do whatever the heck they were going to do in the first place.
Responsibility
Back in Flin Flon, some local taxpayers have questioned the city’s 2007 decision to un-privatize garbage collection and make it a municipal responsibility.
City officials of the day argued that taking over garbage collection was the most viable option following months of unacceptable service from a private contractor.
But as the city faces a financial crunch years later, some wonder whether it would have made more sense to employ a different, more suitable contractor and let them worry about buying new trucks, finding drivers and storing equipment.
The problem with debates around privatization is that they are laden with dogma. Those on the far left want the government to run almost everything; those on the far right want it to leave pretty much the whole shebang to the private sector.
The sensible centre simply asks that government run services when it is in the public interest (such as when no one else will) and leave it to entrepreneurs when costs will be lowered (with services maintained to a satisfactory level, of course).
Despite what the NDP and electrical workers say, no one is contemplating selling off Manitoba Hydro. I also doubt the Creighton Liquor Store will be privatized, though that is certainly not out of the question.
The bigger question is whether there is an increased role for the private sector in trimming municipal costs here in Flin Flon.
I don’t know the answer to that one, but with all of the creative ideas bandied about to limit expenses and raise revenues within the city, I am sure mayor and council are pondering it.
Local Angle runs Fridays.
