CUPE-NL calls for transparency legislation for public-private partnerships

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Newfoundland and Labrador (CUPE NL) is calling for transparency and accountability legislation to govern public-private partnerships (P3s) with several recommendations to government this week.

In a news release issued Thursday, the union said it is recommending a full costing against a public-sector option before a P3 project can go ahead.

It’s also recommending the auditor general be given access to all P3 documents and be allowed to examine the methodology behind the choosing of a P3 model.

“With the government signing contracts for a P3 hospital and long-term care facility, we are concerned about the lack of transparency in disclosure and reporting,” CUPE NL president Sherry Hillier stated in the release.

“There should be no secrets when public money is spent on public infrastructure and services.”

The union is also calling for transparent disclosure and reporting standards for all public or private operations that provide public services and receive public funding.

The union said the recommendations are based on research and discussion that came out of a panel discussion on P3s and transparency held in St. John’s on Nov. 14.

“Without checks and balances the government cannot be held to account for its spending decisions,” Hillier stated.

“The overspending that usually accompanies public-private partnerships might be better used on much-needed public services — hospitals, long-term care beds, education, child care, mentalhealth services and more kilometres of safe highways.”