Council of Canadians | Victoria Chapter

Events

Event: Core Service Reviews. October 15 7 PM Camosun College

2012 October 15, by Chapter Council

A Critical Look at Core Service Reviews- The Toronto Experience

Monday, October 15- 7:00 pm
Room Fisher 100
Camosun College(Lansdowne Campus)
Victoria, Lekwungen and WSAENEC territories.

A public meeting focused on educating the public about core service reviews (which are popping up in communities all over BC and threatening public services).

Speakers scheduled for the event

  • Sean Meagher- The president of Public Interest and worked with Toronto CUPE locals while they underwent their core service review. He will speak about the pitfalls of core reviews, with specific reference to Toronto, and how communities can mobilize to protect public services when they are facing such a review.
  • Trevor Davies- president of CUPE 374 and CUPE BC general VP, Trevor will speak about local municipal issues.

Chaired by Bharat Chandramouli – Council of Canadians Victoria Board Member.

The Issue

A growing number of British Columbia local governments are paying external consultants to conduct “core services reviews” of the programs and services they deliver.  Frequently these result in reports recommending reductions in services for citizens, cuts in union jobs and outsourcing of work. However, these consulting firms also stand to benefit from the outsourcing and privatization because firms like KPMG and Accenture are also involved in providing outsourcing services. This action comes in the wake of a heavy push for more public-private partnerships, and the downloading of costs from federal and provincial government on to municipal governments.

Instead of funding municipalities adequately, a cost crisis is created and used as an excuse for privatization that does not actually save the tax payer any money. Combined with P3s, and trade agreements like CETA, this represents a concerted effort to tie the hands of municipalities.

The Prince George Citizen had a scathing article on their core service review that is highly recommended. 

This meeting is sponsored by CUPE locals