Candidate Cari Penner is proposing the use of private funds to develop public infrastructure. “There are a number of places in western Canada where Public Private Partnerships have helped growing communities deal with infrastructure needs” states Penner. “Water treatment plants and recreation facilities have been good examples of partnerships with the private sector.”
The candidate for City Council is concerned by growing pressures on the city’s infrastructure. Steinbach has grown rapidly in the last 8 years, she notes, and the strain is becoming evident. Although growth is healthy, she points out the population spike has put more demand on municipal services and projects. “We need to sit up and take notice”, she advises, “and then we must answer some important questions.” “What are our priorities? How can we keep up with existing infrastructure repair while building new facilities and roads in our community?”
She says going door to door while campaigning has given her some insight into citizen concerns. Many people have expressed their concern with aging recreation facilities. As well, she notes, they also understand the need for infrastructure investment in lagoons and landfills. It’s a growing concern, she says. “Cities like ours are sometimes forced to choose between providing needed services to their citizens on the one hand, and making necessary investments in public infrastructure. Never before has our city seen the rate of growth advance so rapidly, and it’s critical that our leaders address these increasing pressures.”
Innovative communities are bringing the private sector on board with some success, she notes. This must not be confused with privatization of public services, she emphasizes, but viewed as an alternate way of funding public projects. “If we compare costs on an objective, even basis, we may be able to use public/private partnerships to address our needs. P3’s (public/private partnerships) can make the impossible, possible.”
In addition, she notes, the federal government has committed to delivering funds to cities and communities through the Gas Tax Fund and has specific funds earmarked for P3 projects. These funds can help our city with revenues that are significant, sustained and predictable.
“We can meet the long-term needs of our city”, she says, “but we must be proactive and innovative to fund our infrastructure needs”.
