A review of international econometrics studies on the pros and cons of privatization and semi-privatization waste collection suggests full privatization can cause more headaches than it’s worth. The review of decades’ worth of studies concludes there is no empirical evidence to support the claim that privatizing waste collection services is more cost efficient. The academic literature points to two key factors that end up being costly for governments who fully privatize waste collection: lack of competition in the waste collection sector and large, often unaccounted for adm
Public services and privatization
At a time when the Ontario Liberal government is planning to privatize Hydro One and other provincial governments are also planning significant privatizations, it’s instructive to look back and see what the impact of earlier privatizations has been.
There’s an excellent example right here in Canada of two neighbouring jurisdictions of a similar size, one of which privatized a utility and the other that kept its similar utility under public ownership. It should be seen as a cautionary tale and an indication of what is likely to happen with other privatizations.
HALIFAX – Nova Scotia's market-based, patchwork approach to Early Learning and Child Care is not working for families is the central message in the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Nova Scotia (CCPA-NS)'s submission to the province's Regulated Child Care Review.
According to Dr. Christine Saulnier, Nova Scotia Director, CCPA, "There is overwhelming evidence about the problems with our current approach, and about the best way forward. We have to get serious and invest to build a seamless public system."
On May 14, 2015, CCPA-NS Director Christine Saulnier, and CCPA-NS Research Associate Tammy Findlay, wrote this submission to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Regulated Child Care Review.
It is unfortunate that the sitting government has to waste valuable political capital maneuvering around obstructionist balanced budget legislation (BBL), but the media and opposition continue to place recent budget analyses in its distorting frame. Contrary to established economic theory and practice, BBL always equates balanced budgets with prudent fiscal practice.
The January 30, 2015 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada was a very significant one for the labour movement, and in fact for Canadian society. In their decision the Court once more reaffirmed that a strong base of fundamental rights for union members is a cornerstone of Canada’s democracy and is protected under our constitution.
In her annual report in December, Ontario’s auditor general (AGO), Bonnie Lysyk, exposed the extraordinary waste and financial sham pervasive in public-private partnerships (P3s)—projects her office estimates to have cost the province $8 billion more than if they had been publicly financed and operated. That is the equivalent of $1,600 per Ontario household, or close to what the provincial deficit will be this year.
The work and family lives of Canadians have evolved over the past three decades. It's time our family policies grew up, too.
This study finds the current federal government's approach to family policy is falling short of the needs of parents. It makes the case for access to affordable childcare, improved leave for fathers, and tax policies that level the playing field in order to improve the quality of family life in Canada. The study also provides an analysis of the cost and distributional impact of income splitting for families with children under 18.
The work and family lives of Canadians have evolved over the past three decades. It's time our family policies grew up, too.
OTTAWA—The current federal government's approach to family policy is falling short of the needs of parents, says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).