Thus the two key questions outlined earlier remain. We know that all regions and all communities in the province now have the required infrastructure to receive electric power. The government, they argue, could declare an open market or, in effect, remove exclusive privilege and at the same time establish a regulatory agency with policy instruments to ensure that all New Brunswickers, wherever they live, would have access to electric energy at comparable prices. Other observers remain of the view that only a crown corporation can properly promote the public interest. Lest we need to be reminded, there is a world of difference between citizens and clients.
Clients are sovereign.
They can hold business accountable through their behaviour in a competitive market. In short, clients can turn to the market to defend their interests or walk away from an unsatisfactory firm and turn to one of its competitors. It makes solid business sense for firms to reserve special treatment for their best clients. Citizens, on the other hand, have common purposes. This is neat, tidy, impersonal, effective, and quiet.