Selling Saskatchewan

A decade of privatization 2007-2017
Author(s): 
March 7, 2018
Download
4.01 MB20 pages

“Crowns are not going to be privatized and subsidiaries are not going to be wound down... Our party will not do anything that that will be destructive to the long-term viability of the Crowns.” - Brad Wall (09/08/2007)

"Offering medical services such as an MRI for a fee "seems to be outside the Canada Health Act," and is area where the government doesn't want to tread." - Brad Wall (02/15/2008)

“We will not privatize existing government-owned liquor stores.”  - Brad Wall (10/25/2013)

“It is safe [from privatization]  — and it’s business as usual” - Jennifer Campeau, Minister of the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (07/15/2016)

Despite persistent statements from the Saskatchewan government that it does not harbor a “privatization agenda,” privatization has nevertheless accelerated dramatically under the Saskatchewan Party, particularly during its second and third terms in power. Over the past decade, we estimate that the Saskatchewan Party government has sold over $1.1 billion in public assets and eliminated at least 1,227 public sector jobs via privatization and outsourcing. Selling Saskatchewan: A Decade of Privatization 2007 – 2017 identifies all the more significant statements and policy decisions involving privatization, public-private partnerships and outsourcing made in Saskatchewan since 2007. As Premier Scott Moe takes over the reins of the Saskatchewan government, will he continue with what is now a well-documented record of privatization? It is unclear where the current Premier stands on the issue of privatization. While he has publicly stated that there are “no circumstances” where he would consider selling any of the Crown Corporations, he has also advocated for the increased privatization of the public health system and the continued privatization of the province’s liquor retailing system. In light of the contradictions between the government’s past rhetoric on privatization and its own actions, it is incumbent on the new Premier to clarify where his new government stands on the issue of privatization – not only for Crowns, but for all public services.

For more on privatization in Saskatchewan, see The Wrong Track: A Decade of Privatization in Saskatchewan, 2004 – 2015 (https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/wrong-track)

Offices: