WINNIPEG – Winnipeg’s mayor will take his latest funding fight with the province to the Manitoba Legislature Monday. Sam Katz will attend a legislative committee MEETING to voice his objections to a proposed law he calls “total insanity.” Bill 34 would slap restrictions on the city’s ability to partner with private business to fund public infrastructure projects.
The NDP government wants to limit the so-called Public Private Partnerships, or P3s that have been used for such projects as the Dugald Road police station and the recent extension of Chief Peguis Trail, which was completed a year ahead of schedule.
“The last thing we need is more delays for critical infrastructure projects due to the potentially endless roll of red tape that this bill would create,” Katz said.
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P3s have been controversial because they see public works designed, managed, partially financed and maintained by private developers. Katz says the funding model gets projects done quickly and more cheaply; critics worry they could allow public money to flow into the pockets of private business.
“It’s total insanity, there’s no logic, there’s no rhyme or reason,” Katz said. His time as mayor has been marked by a near-constant series of funding fights with the provincial government which controls most of the levers for raising money and regulating services.
The mayor has allies in this battle, including the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
“P3s are like going shopping. You can get a good deal or a bad deal but it’s a good thing to shop around,” the CTF’s Colin Craig said.
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