Don't Tap into the Private Sector
Karen Bakker, David Cameron, and Adèle M. Hurley
February 02, 2003
- English
Since the release of Ontario's Walkerton inquiry report, the need to address the security of Canada's drinking water has become more obvious and urgent. Cities such as Halifax and Moncton have already privatized the operation of their water systems. Is this the solution?
In the past, private companies have found it difficult to maintain affordable prices and high environmental standards, while ensuring levels of profit acceptable to private companies and their shareholders. Experience shows that when private companies cannot earn a healthy profit, they retreat. The resulting ownership changes and contract cancellations can be prolonged and expensive, with risks to public health. When it comes to a resource that is essential for life and health, the authors ask, why expose Canadians to such risks?