CUPE: P3 Schools – A Mistake Alberta’s Government Keeps Making

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire CUPE: P3 Schools - A Mistake Alberta's Government Keeps MakingAuthor of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.EDMONTON, Alberta — The Alberta government has returned, again, to the failed approach of private-public partnership (P3) for the building and maintenance of schools in Alberta. The Government of Alberta announced in mid-July that seven elementary and junior high schools in Edmonton, Calgary, and Chestermere would be built using the controversial model.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountTypically, a P3 model means the government contracts out the design, building, financing and maintenance of the building. While the government usually announces such P3s as a way to pay less for the construction, they often end up paying more in the long run because the deal means the government agrees to a form of rent over several decades.P3s have led to accountability problems with the maintenance and upkeep of buildings. In some examples, schools did not have the ability to adjust thermostats and students and staff were sweating or shivering while the private company did not adjust the temperature. The model is chosen by governments who wish to keep deferred maintenance debt “off the books” and pushed to future budgets. But since governments pay far less for financing than private companies, it is rarely an overall cost savings to use a P3 model.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againWe have asked before, and must ask again, how many times can Alberta conservatives make the same mistake? The government has twice abandoned this model in the past, and many other provinces have found that P3s do not add up.CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal raised the alarm bells. “Given the length of these contracts — often 30 years or more — and the government’s regular flip-flopping on the use of P3s, it seems a poor choice to build much-needed schools this way. Public institutions should be the owners of public assets like schools, hospitals, and the like. We should not be renting back our own public buildings.”View source version on businesswire.com: This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.