In an increasingly competitive global environment, governments around the world are focusing on new ways to finance projects, build infrastructure and deliver services. Public-private partnerships (PPP's or P3's) are becoming a common tool to bring together the strengths of both sectors. In addition to maximizing efficiencies and innovations of private enterprise, PPP's can provide much needed capital to finance government programs and projects, thereby freeing public funds for core economic and social programs.

There are several active PPP markets around the world, including Canada, India, Australia and the UK. What tends to distinguish the leader countries is that PPP activity is conducted through a comprehensive government program rather than on a one-off basis as has been the case in the USA.

Canada has developed considerable expertise in the PPP field, both domestically and internationally, and increasingly this is being done through coordinated provincial programs. A Council publication entitled "The Canadian PPP Project Directory", shows that PPP's have become a successful vehicle to deliver public services in over 25 distinct sectors, at all levels of government. Canada has many high profile projects, such as the Confederation Bridge and Highway 407 Electronic Toll Route, as well as numerous other projects at the provincial level. They demonstrate that PPP's continue to be valuable contributors to our country's economic health. For a current list, see the Canadian PPP Project Database.

Criticism of Public-Private Partnerships

Those opposed to public-private partnerships most often cite the loss of public control that occurs when a private sector company is involved in financing, building or delivering public services. Public-private partnerships are often seen by organized labour as resulting in job loss, poor quality and lack of oversight. These objections are overstated and often misrepresent fact-based research in this field. Publications by CCPPP and others address such issues. We have posted speeches and presentations from public and private sector leaders that have shared their views and expertise with a variety of audiences on the subject of P3's. Along with the links on this website, The Council has endeavoured to provide as much information as possible from a wide range of areas to inform the debate.