The Crown Investments Corporation made a hopeful announcement last Tuesday, saying they鈥檝e reached tentative settlements with Unifor locals representing six Crown corporations previously on strike in Saskatchewan. SaskEnergy, SaskPower, SaskTel, Directwest, SecurTek and SaskWater had all signed a memorandum of agreement on October 22 to the relief of many in the province.
鈥淭hese agreements were reached, because dedicated teams were determined to achieve agreements that are fair and beneficial to both the employees and the corporations,鈥� Crown Investments Corporation President and CEO Blair Swystun said.聽
Whenever provincial or federal crown corporations go on strike, or if they鈥檝e failed to provide the services they鈥檙e obligated to do according to their mandates, we are reminded how unpopular these government-controlled businesses can be, especially for sectors arguing in favour of mass-privatization.
A debate emerged in this country during the 1970s regarding the functions and efficiencies of Canadian crown corporations during the first Trudeau government. Discussions on government-owned firms centred on their vivacity, financial standings and the amount of taxes needed to keep them operating. Business critics though the means expended by crown corporations often exceeded Ottawa's ability regulate them with efficiency. Some always believed crown corporations were unified on a disastrous voyage on a ship loaded with bureaucrats and navigated by unionized employees. The same critics argued crown corporations were becoming too conspicuous within the nation鈥檚 traditionally mixed economy.
Crown corporations have often courted disagreements. Almost a thousand people crowded into the Mossbank Community Hall during a vicious rainstorm to watch a skirmish between Premier Tommy Douglas, the hero of prairie socialism, who faced-off against Ross Thatcher, a former government colleague in May 1957. The debate in Mossbank centred on the viability of crown corporations. Earlier, Thatcher, a defender of free enterprise, abandoned Douglas鈥檚 Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (later renamed the NDP), which he had represented in parliament since 1945. After Thatcher characterized Saskatchewan鈥檚 crown corporations as a failure, Douglas dared Thatcher to debate him within a public setting.
Deciding whether Douglas or Thatcher won the debate in Mossbank is partisan, yet both politicians brought strong arguments to the table. Still, observers noted Douglas was on the defensive throughout the debate, so some onlookers decided the CCF leader had been unsuccessful in defending state ownership. The free enterprise supporters in the crowd were also impressed with Thatcher鈥檚 appeal for private enterprise and investment. In a way, this debate had tinge of tragedy, as this disagreement between two friends over political values had turned into an open brawl. 聽聽
While a total state-owned economy based on the principles of absolute egalitarianism is undesirable for a billion reasons, crown corporations are vital in a mixed economy, because they provide essential services for society as a whole, especially for those who are unable to afford them. Collective efforts constructed to enhance the social conditions and living standards for everyone regardless of their class, ethnicity, religious background and so forth within a market economy assists in creating a healthy and well-adjusted nation and province where equal opportunities exist. 聽
Crown corporations represent the foundations of human decency. However, whenever they鈥檝e become mismanaged, people lose their trust in them and wonder where their tax money has disappeared to. But we need crown corporations. Crown corporations in Saskatchewan, in other provinces and on the federal level have supplied citizens with fundamental amenities at cost, including education, healthcare, telephone services, power and internet for rural and urban populations. Private enterprise and investment are integral parts of society 鈥� both are prerequisites for a vigorous economy. Innovation financed by capital drives this province and the nation forward by creating opportunities for inventors, creators, business owners and employees. But government services and crown corporations exist to uphold the quality of life in society, by ensuring everyone has the same access to essential services.聽 聽
