Privatization in British Columbia: lessons from the sale of government laboratories

Article Abstract:

Among the more controversial privatizations that the Province of British Columbia announced in March 1987 were the sale of the soil, dairy and environmental laboratories. The last two performed testing to monitor private firms' compliance with provincial health and environmental regulations. A review of the three transactions offers lessons concerning both the process of privatization in British Columbia and the limits to privatization by contracting-out. Privatization of elements of government regulatory functions presents three problems: first, private sector contractors may be subject to conflict of interest; secondly, complex and costly contract-monitoring arrangements may be required to ensure the quality of work performed by contractors; and finally, the failure of the contractural arrangements will have implications beyond the contract itself, ultimately affecting the government's ability to achieve its regulatory objectives. A striking feature of the privatization process was the inducements offered to government employees to get them to become private-sector contractors. The province even accepted uncompetitive bids from employee groups, contradicting its own primary objective of privatization, to increase efficiency based on competition. The case studies also demonstrate that transaction and transition costs of privatization may be substantial, particularly for small operations. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Privatization, Privatization (Business), Industry regulations, Government regulation of business, Trade regulation, Public employees, Government employees

---

How pay equity legislation came to Ontario

Article Abstract:

This paper presents a detailed cases analysis of the emergence of far-reaching pay equity legislation (Bill 154) in Ontario in 1987 in order to test a general analytical framework designed to explain major changes in public policy. Three factors are postulated to be instrumental in the attainment of new legislative initiatives: changes in environmental variables (e.g., economic and demographic variables, historical trends and precedents); shifts in political power (e.g., electoral changes resulting in a minority government or a new governing party, the perception of voter mandated change); and changes in pressure group behaviour (e.g., a shift in the 'balance of power' amongst pressure groups due to changes in resources, leadership, political influence strategies or tactics, or the creation of new pressure groups). The authors conclude that all three factors were important in explaining this significant change in public policy, with the greatest weight being attributed to shifts in political power. This framework appears to be a useful step in developing a general theory of major changes in public policy. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Canada, Laws, regulations and rules, Ontario, Labor policy, Pay equity, Labour policy

---

Comparative lobbying strategies in influencing health care policy

Article Abstract:

The lobbying strategies of pressure groups in the field of health care were researched. Medical and hospital associations in British Columbia were studied as to style and technique of lobbying, and as to the impact of these strategies on public policies. Groups studied were divided into two types: process-oriented and output-oriented, and major differences were found between the two. Six factors were found to be of major importance, including the focus of the lobbying activities, the length of experience with the government and the interaction between government and the group. The makeup of the group's membership, and the presence of factions within the group also were contributing factors, as were the values held by the membership.

Management, Social policy, Medical policy, Health policy, Lobbyists, Pressure groups, Special interest groups

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Asset allocation and asset location: household evidence from the survey of consumer finances. Taxation and wealth transmission in France
• Abstracts: Uncertainty and optimal taxation: in defense of commodity taxes. Second-best taxation of emissions and polluting goods
• Abstracts: On Michael Oakeshott. The Blair gorvernment and the core executive. Steering the British state in the information age
• Abstracts: On the possibility of efficient private provision of public goods through government subsidies. Inefficient equilibria in lobbying
• Abstracts: The spatial segregation of ethnic and demographic groups: comparative evidence from Stockholm and San Francisco

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.