Utilities of Canada

Waste/Water

PPPs are increasingly being developed to replace or update Canada’s treatment facilities. A number of biofuel projects have been launched to address the expected crisis in energy supply by 2030. One example is the Saint John Safe Clean Drinking Water Project in New Brunswick, which involves the construction of a 100 million-litre per day drinking water treatment plant. It will incorporate three new 11 million-litre storage reservoirs and 15 designated water transmission system improvements to provide clean, safe drinking water to residents. Federal and principal governments will put up funding totalling US$114.6 million. The project is also intended to create growth in construction jobs in Saint John and rebuild New Brunswick’s economy. The private sector partner is as yet undecided.

Telecoms

The telecommunications sector in Canada is largely privatised, with 90 per cent owned by the ‘big three’: Rodger Communications, Telus and Bell Canada Enterprises. Industry ministers are therefore keen to generate more competition in the sector. Consumer interests are supervised by the independent body the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. One strategy for diversifying the market and reducing cost to the consumer is the Government of Canada’s 700 MHz Wireless Airwave Auction, held in January 2014, in which telecoms companies will bid for wireless spectrum airwaves.