Friday, November 18, 2016

Federal Government to explore privatization options for Canadian Ports

18 Federal Ports could
be put up on the For Sale listings
if the Trudeau Government
follows through
on a privatization plan
The Federal Government may be looking to get out of the Ports business, with the Liberal Government of Justin Trudeau looking to investment bankers Morgan Stanley Canada to provide financial advice to the government, when it comes to the prospect of privatizing 18 ports under the Federal umbrella.

The announcement of the engagement of the financial company was issued through the Canada Development Investment Corporation, which outlined that the step towards a review was the culmination of an 18 month review of the Canada Transportation Act.



The international investment firm has been tasked to review the initiative and provide guidance to the Federal Government as it examines its options related to the potential privatization of ports spread out across the Country.



The plan to move forward with a review on the port facilities is one that has followed the recent announcement to explore the Federal options when it comes to the prospect of the privatization of the nations airport facilities.

The interest in the twin privatization plans also come as the Federal Government explores the idea of  creating a national infrastructure bank with global lenders and financial observers.

To launch that Federal plan, the Government dispatched Finance Minister Bill Morneau to the United Kingdom to explain the quest for global partnerships for an international audience

Ottawa enlists Morgan Stanley to review ownership options for 18 Canadian ports
Trudeau pitches public-private infrastructure projects to major investors amid global insecurity
Justin Trudeau pitches Canada to powerful investors
The Trudeau government's new plan for economic growth? It's complicated
Private investors eye public assets like airports, highways
Ottawa to make 'unprecedented' appeal for private investment in infrastructure

When it comes to any approach towards a privatization of the Ports, the concept seems to one that bears a strong resemblance to a similar effort in Australia.

There the ongoing plans by the Australian government to sell of its federal assets is under a fair bit of scrutiny as it proceeds forward. With concerns expressed as about the concept of shifting the control of the port facilities to buyers from outside of the country.

Australian port sold for $7.3 billion to consortium, China fund among backers
Getting the balance right on port privatisation
Australian bidders cleared for $4 billion port privatization

The prospect of the proposed Canadian privatization programs and the concept of the infrastructure bank is getting a fair bit of review this week, some of the notes pro and against can be found below:

Ottawa enlists Morgan Stanley to review ownership options for 18 Canadian ports
Trudeau pitches public-private infrastructure projects to major investors amid global insecurity
Justin Trudeau pitches Canada to powerful investors
The Trudeau government's new plan for economic growth? It's complicated
Private investors eye public assets like airports, highways
Ottawa to make 'unprecedented' appeal for private investment in infrastructure
Alberta strongly opposed to privatizing Canada's airports, minister says
Let's not get railroaded again on infrastructure
Opposition to private investment in infrastructure 'stupid': Adam Vaughn
Trudeau should forget infrastructure P3s and support a People's Bank
Tories say Liberals putting infrastructure in hands of foreign billionaires
Trump victory threatens Justin Trudeau's infrastructure plans
Proposed airport privatization will drive up the cost for travellers, say CEOs

While the Federal governments plans are still in the early stage, one imagines that they will be subject to some intense debate in the House of Commons before they move forward, if they move forward.

However, the process of selling off such federal assets as ports, airports and other key elements of infrastructure could make for interesting times for municipalities across the country and provide for new ownership for some elements that are key to their economic development.

More items of interest related to Federal politics can be found on our political portal Darcy McGee.

No comments:

Post a Comment