The real scandal in Ontario is privatization

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas will hold a news conference as part of a province-wide tour.

Where: In front of main entrance, main building, Collège Boréal, Lasalle Blvd., Sudbury
When:  10 a.m., Thursday, May 22

SUDBURY, ON, May 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Despite the epic failure that privatization has been in Ontario, it remains a policy of the PCs and Liberals, and the provincial election campaign offers voters the opportunity to reject it, according to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

"Just look at the past two decades in Ontario and you'll see a long trail of privatization disasters, including the contracting out of highway maintenance," said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. "The PC and Liberal governments have been caught siphoning billions of public dollars to private investors. Every time, it's the same story. Quality of service goes down, cost to the public goes up, and transparency and accountability go missing."

Thomas is travelling to cities across Ontario to raise the issue that he calls the "Pay More, Get Less" plan. He's asking voters to pose the question to all candidates in the provincial election: "What are you going to do about privatization?"

In Sudbury, Thomas will meet with local representatives and visit workplaces.

Thomas cited a few of the privatization failures documented in an OPSEU publication, Epic Fail: A Short History of Privatization in Ontario. [opseu.org/epicfail]

"Voters know they pay more and get less. The real scandal is privatization. Just think Ornge. Think gas plants. And think of highways in Northern Ontario where people believe the maintenance standards are inadequate," said Thomas.

SOURCE: OPSEU

Lori St. Amand, Staff representative, 705.698.9731
Sheila Keenan, Communications, 416.802.1251