For Immediate Release:
Toronto, January 21, 2016 – Working Canadians has launched a new campaign to publicize the costly and unfair policies of governments that favour unionized companies over their non-unionized counterparts in the granting of contracts to participate in government infrastructure contracts. This closed bidding process means that taxpayers end up paying significantly more for infrastructure than necessary, and that many legitimate, capable, taxpaying businesses are excluded from bidding on government projects that their tax dollars pay for. “In these difficult times when governments are already deep in debt and taxpayer dollars are scarce, it is disgraceful that governments continue to pursue these costly and unfair policies,” said Catherine Swift, President of Working Canadians.
Research has shown that these closed and biased bidding processes can increase the cost of infrastructure projects by as much as 40%. Swift added “When we know that tens of billions of dollars are going to be spent by governments at all levels over the next number of years, adhering to these foolish and costly procurement policies means that taxpayers will be paying billions more than necessary for infrastructure.”
Working Canadians will be running advertising in conventional media and social media targeted at Ontario in the coming weeks to raise awareness of this wasteful policy and encourage taxpayers to express their views to Ontario Premier Wynne and Finance Minister Sousa. “As unions represent an ever-shrinking percentage of the labour force, policies that favour unions over taxpayers work to the disadvantage of the vast majority of Ontarians, “ said Swift. “ It’s high time that governments geared their policies to benefit the majority of their constituents, not a small but vocal minority,” she added.
Watch our ad asking for fair and open competition, ending the monopoly of union-only, or closed-tendering, procurement policies.
Supporters are encouraged to send a message to the Ontario government at http://www.workingcanadians.ca.
Catherine Swift is Spokesperson for Working Canadians, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to opposing the negative impact excessive union influence has on the Canadian economy and society.
To arrange an interview with Catherine Swift, contact Gisele Lumsden at 647 466-5509 or by email: [email protected]