Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. I firmly believe that the hydro privatization issue could be the turning point on this whole privatization agenda, from health care to education to water services. We think that if we win the fight with utilities, it will give a big boost to keeping services public throughout the province. The Ontario Tories have made deregulation and privatization their watchwords, starting with the break-up and sale of Ontario Hydro. Now, they are pushing to sell profitable municipal utilities like hydro and water filtration operations.
Many municipalities see hydro privatizations as a quick-fix solution to their financial crises.
Some large transnational corporations want a toe-hold in this lucrative sector. Water filtration and treatment systems are being studied by the French transnational Suez-Lyonnaise, and by Southern. Laidlaw and the newly created Ontario Hydro Services Company are angling for disposal services and much more. Even worse, an announcement is imminent that the Bruce nuclear power station has been bought by a British-US consortium. The transnational Acres Management has been very active around Toronto Hydro.