News Releases    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 22, 2003

OPSEU calls for 60-day freeze on sale of assets

TORONTO – The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is calling on the Eves government to halt the sale, divestment or shutdown of public assets pending the results of the Oct. 2 election.

“We know of cases where the government is rushing to sell assets or close programs over the next several days because they don’t want their bad decisions undone,” said OPSEU president Leah Casselman. “After Walkerton and Aylmer, Eves should let the people decide whether or not they want more public services privatized.”

Casselman pointed to plans to close the Ministry of Health’s ambulance supply and support centre at 185 Judson Street in Etobicoke. OPSEU members there will be handed surplus notices Sept. 25 and will have to decide their futures by Oct. 2, Election Day.

“This closure is vehemently opposed by Ontario’s municipalities because it will increase their costs for ambulances and emergency medical equipment and wipe out the technical support they rely on,” Casselman said. “Closing it now means losing valuable expertise that the next government just might want to keep.”

The Ministry of Health is also planning to sign a backroom deal to hand over the Royal Ottawa Hospital to a for-profit multinational company this week. The hospital’s CEO said recently that such a deal would cost “many millions” for a new government to undo.

“This shouldn’t go ahead,” said Casselman. “With a 60-day freeze on the dumping of public assets, we would at least be able to make our case with a new government that the public sector can do the job better and more cost-effectively, and that public safety, security and health are best left in the hands of public employees.”

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For further information:

David Cox, OPSEU Communications: 416-443-8888 (ext 314)
Randy Robinson OPSEU Communications: 416-443-8888 (ext 441)

Privatization by stealth - in 2003

Fleet and Equipment Services - Health and Long Term Care – Judson Supply Centre will be closed; municipalities have asked that this decision be delayed until the impact on ambulance services can be studied. (see attachments)

Hospitals The Royal Ottawa Hospital (contract expected signed sometime this week) CEO told the Citizen Sept. 12 scrapping the deal would cost a new government “many millions of dollars”; Brampton (not our members), project agreement for construction contract signed last week.

Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital was divested June 23, 2003; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Whitby Mental Health both under discussion.

Driver Examination Centres - sale closed on Labour Day, Serco took over day election was called; Price was $114 million and $200,000 per month over 10 years -Driver Exam earned $ 15-m per year (or more).... due to confusion, seniors are now having problems getting their tests done.

Provincial Savings Offices - sold in April despite massive opposition from loyal client base, price was $50 million, with $7.7 million of that going to employee severances. POSO earned $10-million per year.

Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has put out an RFP for a new ambulance dispatch centre (CACC) in Niagara. (rather than expand on their existing OPS operations, they are creating another transfer payment partner).

Ontario Energy Board - Bill 23 proclaimed Aug. 1/ 03; divestment could take place within months.

Ministry of Public Safety and Security: St. Lawrence Valley Correctional Treatment Centre - private/public partnership with the Royal Ottawa Hospital is being negotiated and close to being signed. Minister Bob Runciman recently announced 2 new private young offender facilities, one in Kemptville the other in Blenheim.

Teranet - sale announced Aug. 7; Government will make $370 million by divesting its 50 per cent interest.