Share
Privatization means that you pay more. Profits do not appear out of thin air.
Airport investors raise fees and fares, cut staff and wages, or all of the above.
Canada's airports are not for sale.
The federal government recently announced a plan to sell off control of Canada’s four largest airports to private investors.
Canada’s public airports connect families and communities, support regional economies, move goods, and provide thousands of good jobs.
Workers and travelers are already squeezed by ever increasing fares and fees, staffing pressures and contract flipping which denies many workers stable employment and income.
Turning airports over to private ownership, even pension plan funds, puts profit ahead of travelers and workers.
Privatization means that you pay more. It’s been shown around the world, when safe, public airports are handed over to private wealth, fees and fares go up, and wages and labour standards are driven down.
Public ownership, including the not-for-profit airport authority structure, keeps airports accountable to the communities they serve, and to Canadians.
Revenues are generated, returned to the federal government to the tune of $525 million per year, and can be reinvested in infrastructure improvements and services.
Canada's airports must remain public. Here’s why-
Airports aren't just hubs for travel — they are essential to regional and provincial economies. They support a vast number of jobs in our communities and generate revenue and taxes that support public services.
As non-profit entities, airport revenues can be reinvested into infrastructure improvements that make travel safer, easier and better.
Airport privatization around the world leads to increasing costs and worse services as private investors siphon off profits instead of reinvesting in the airports.
Airport workers can lose good jobs, while reduced staffing and the loss of experienced workers can have consequences for both passenger service and airport safety.
Regional, and smaller communities could lose connectivity. Airport privatization could result in reduced or cancelled routes, making access to smaller communities increasingly difficult.
The profit motive favours the busiest and most profitable routes, potentially leaving rural, northern and smaller communities behind.
Companies have one obligation, to maximize returns for owners and shareholders. They are not obligated to take any steps to benefit the public good. Privatization transfers control of important public assets to private investors.
Canada’s supply chain is at a critical juncture amid the US trade war, there couldn’t be a worse time to surrender control. Our country needs to focus on economic security and sovereignty, handing control of critical transportation and supply-chain infrastructure to private investors makes little sense.
Have your say by sending a message: https://buff.ly/ujbJnlW
