Paul Martin's Business Update - September 24th

The political tension in Regina is rising as we run up to the local plebiscite on the financing of a new waste water treatment plant. This project is one of Regina’s first P3s or Public Private Partnerships and is a flashpoint for the right and left.

Many see the Regina campaign as the prelude to something much larger – a national fight by the largest public sector union to stop what it is calling privatization of local services. Obviously the union’s members earn their livelihood in the public sector so if they can stop the Regina project, they can take that experience to other jurisdictions.

So this is big stuff – much more about philosophy and political clout than how sewage is treated. And both sides have ponied up plenty of cash.

The city of Regina has an extensive ad campaign to push its position. While, clearly the grassroots Regina Water Watch, the primary opponent of the P3 idea, is getting considerable financial backing, being able to hire a national TV figure to star in its radio and television ads.

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