Atomic Energy Canada Privatized

[William Ashley]

That list of sales has started to happen - first with AECL to SNC-Lavalin Group.

Personally I'm concerned that the supply of medical isotopes is being privatized as it may end up increasing health care costs, which the taxpayer will be stuck with the bill for anyway.

The business is one that can be profitable, yet that may be the reason right there that it is being sold to a private company.

SNC-Lavalin Group

http://www.snclavalin.com/investors.php?lang=en

Why would a "profiting company" want to buy a "bad asset?"

Embezzlement much. More government corruption clearly demonstrated.

Intentional?

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/04/11/on-diplomacy-through-capitalism-his-firms-projects-in-libya-and-the-future-of-nuclear-power/

More on AECL

http://www.aecl.ca/Default.aspx

Ever heard of CANDU?

Canada can't do CANDU no more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CANDU_reactor

Edited June 28, 2011 by William Ashley

[Topaz]

I agree with you and you know cancer patients and heart patients are going to increase and as I've mentioned before, governments make decisions that sometime hurt the citizens and not them. This governmnet needs to get his debt paid and when they have sold all the properties, what will they do then?

[TwoDucks]

It's a shame. Nuclear holds a lot of promise for meeting our energy demands, but with the whole nuclear scare after Japan, it seems unlikely that we'll be going down that route any time soon. Perfect excuse for the AECL to be sold off to the lowest bidder.

[Battletoads]

Who cares if the price of essential medical procedures skyrocket, so long as the ultra-wealth can put a few more bucks away every year.

[RNG]

Who cares if the price of essential medical procedures skyrocket, so long as the ultra-wealth can put a few more bucks away every year.

By and large, the ultra-wealthy don't put a few more bucks away, they are smart enough to invest them. Which builds companies, and creates jobs and does all kinds of other wonderful things for our economy, which leads to a better standard of living for the citizens, except of course for the leaches.

[mikedavid00]

Thank God they sold the company.

The gov't shouldn't own companies at all.

Now that it's private, we won't see a Liberal-created political fiasco like we did a couple years back with the isotope.

The gov't should privatize every crown corporation they own. No exceptions.

(I like how people think that when the gov't owns something, it's low cost and efficient.. lol.. what planet do they live in? Oh yeah I forgot - planet CBC/Communism)

[Tilter]

It's a shame. Nuclear holds a lot of promise for meeting our energy demands, but with the whole nuclear scare after Japan, it seems unlikely that we'll be going down that route any time soon. Perfect excuse for the AECL to be sold off to the lowest bidder.

I guess that it he been a tremendous financial success so far???

[TwoDucks]

I guess that it he been a tremendous financial success so far???

Wow, thank you for realizing that despite at no point claiming it's been a financial success recently, you clearly cut through the fat to realize that's what I meant. Your powers of intuition are surpassed only by your clear mastery of question marks.

I find it funny that although the government will be getting $15 million from SNC-Lavelin for AECL, they'll be paying them back $75 million to help develop the new CANDU reactor. And who says that Conservatives have to be good businessmen?

[William Ashley]

Thank God they sold the company.

The gov't shouldn't own companies at all.

Now that it's private, we won't see a Liberal-created political fiasco like we did a couple years back with the isotope.

The gov't should privatize every crown corporation they own. No exceptions.

(I like how people think that when the gov't owns something, it's low cost and efficient.. lol.. what planet do they live in? Oh yeah I forgot - planet CBC/Communism)

The government has amazing opportunity to decrease the unemployment rate through sound fiscal management of crown corporations. The issue really is subsidy rather than ROI. The CBC however has stated they stimulate the economy.

I think education is problematic that way, when culture and art doesn't promote a vibrant society. However lower stress means less aging, better memories and better work performance. It really does go to a socialistic mindset on "what programing" promotes healthy living and happiness in society. I think it does exist though, if TV can be a social benefit, then I don't see how it being government run or privately run really makes a difference. Work is work. IT is actually far better to have more "popularly supported" control of public resource, especially if it allows the government to protect public interests without having to increase the level of legislation out there, it is actually more efficient.

I'm all for private business of course though but I completely reject the idea of privatizing essential services is the way to go. If you do that the government is forced to tax - if crown corporations generate revenue it lowers taxes.

That is essential though, profitable crown corps, and if they can beat out competitors on price that is just a bigger win.

I think the government has the capacity to reduce inflation if they provide essential goods food shelter and things such as basic clothing elements if they can do it for a lower price, for those in poverty, and put to work the 3 million or so unemployed Canadians.

Combated with immigration or a higher growth rate Canada has a long way to grow without effecting private business. People sitting on their duff and not contributing doesn't help but if there is no private work then the government is the only recourse.. and that has to be profitable employment - and to do that you have to attack imports.

Like gasoline and the microrefineries I suggested years ago...

Edited June 30, 2011 by William Ashley

[jacee]

(I like how people think that when the gov't owns something, it's low cost and efficient.. lol.. what planet do they live in?

Our public health insurance is cheaper than private health insurance in the US because there is less redundancy in administration and no need for profit.

Break even not-for-profit service is always likely to be cheaper than for-profit.

[RNG]

Our public health insurance is cheaper than private health insurance in the US because there is less redundancy in administration and no need for profit.

Break even not-for-profit service is always likely to be cheaper than for-profit.

Try car insurance in BC. NOT

[TwoDucks]

Try car insurance in BC. NOT

Nice reading comprehension. Since when has ICBC not been for profit?

[RNG]

Nice reading comprehension. Since when has ICBC not been for profit?

I moved here two years ago, a health issue forced it. I honestly didn't know that the ICBC was a for profit outfit. So, another freaking hidden tax in "the best place to live in the world" or whatever their current propaganda phrase is.

I'm just about ready to go back to Alberta and risk my health.

[Guest Derek L]

Thank God they sold the company.

The gov't shouldn't own companies at all.

Now that it's private, we won't see a Liberal-created political fiasco like we did a couple years back with the isotope.

The gov't should privatize every crown corporation they own. No exceptions.

(I like how people think that when the gov't owns something, it's low cost and efficient.. lol.. what planet do they live in? Oh yeah I forgot - planet CBC/Communism)

Really? I tend to believe that many of the Crown Corps, at both the federal and provincial level, the government should sell off, but as a strident follower of Friedman, the aspect of "neighbourhood effects" & "natural monopoly" do apply in some areas……..What would you have become of the Bank of Canada (I see the irony in relation to Milton’s view on the Federal Reserve) or museums on both the federal and provincial level?

[Guest Derek L]

Try car insurance in BC. NOT

ICBC would be the first on my list........

[RNG]

Really? I tend to believe that many of the Crown Corps, at both the federal and provincial level, the government should sell off, but as a strident follower of Friedman, the aspect of "neighbourhood effects" & "natural monopoly" do apply in some areas……..What would you have become of the Bank of Canada (I see the irony in relation to Milton’s view on the Federal Reserve) or museums on both the federal and provincial level?

Playing devil's advocate, should the government subsidize museums? Are they any different than "the arts"?

I like museums but don't give a care (note yhe PC here)about symphony or ballet. What should I support?

[Guest Derek L]

Playing devil's advocate, should the government subsidize museums? Are they any different than "the arts"?

I like museums but don't give a care (note yhe PC here)about symphony or ballet. What should I support?

Fair enough, I’d consider museums since they’re educational, where as sports or the “arts” are entertainment……. Cirque du Soleil or going to an NHL game in a government funded arena is out many Canadians finical reach even though their tax dollars paid for it…..Where as many museums are ~10 bucks or by donation……I’d hate to see the Royal British Colombian covered in Molson, Ford & Esso advertisements………Same with Provincial & Federal parks……..I’m personally a free market kinda guy (in a big way), but I’ll acknowledge there is a role for government in some areas if it benefits all Canadians and a private company couldn’t do it better…….

[RNG]

Fair enough, I’d consider museums since they’re educational, where as sports or the “arts” are entertainment……. Cirque du Soleil or going to an NHL game in a government funded arena is out many Canadians finical reach even though their tax dollars paid for it…..Where as many museums are ~10 bucks or by donation……I’d hate to see the Royal British Colombian covered in Molson, Ford & Esso advertisements………Same with Provincial & Federal parks……..I’m personally a free market kinda guy (in a big way), but I’ll acknowledge there is a role for government in some areas if it benefits all Canadians and a private company couldn’t do it better…….

Various British museums are awesome. The Edmonton museum is great too. And I have seen the Ottawa Space Museum. Seeing an actual Gemini capsule just scared the you know what out of me. Three guys in that tiny sardine can in outer space! Just wow. The Toronto Science Museum, I think it's called was wonderful for the kids. I agree with your education vs. entertainment argument. Good come-back.

[Guest Derek L]

Various British museums are awesome. The Edmonton museum is great too. And I have seen the Ottawa Space Museum. Seeing an actual Gemini capsule just scared the you know what out of me. Three guys in that tiny sardine can in outer space! Just wow. The Toronto Science Museum, I think it's called was wonderful for the kids. I agree with your education vs. entertainment argument. Good come-back.

My favourite in Canada, bar none, are Royal BC and the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta

For full disclosure though, I’ve been to Cirque du Soleil, Canucks games (To see the Leafs) and usally go to a couple of the offerings by the Arts Club/Stanley theatre every year and have been dragged to the Queen E to see Phantom & Technicolor Dream Coat (Still have nightmares of Donny Osmond)…….But these are all luxuries that I can afford, and if government spending was taken away and prices increased, I’d still attend…….Many Taxpayers can’t though, is it fair that they fund my Saturday nights?

I feel the CBC should be privatised, even though I’m watching the National as I type this…….

[RNG]

I feel the CBC should be privatised, even though I’m watching the National as I type this…….

I'm the choir here, dude.

[Evening Star]

The symphony can be an educational - or at the least intellectual - experience as well.

Edited July 1, 2011 by Evening Star

[Guest Derek L]

The symphony can be an educational - or at the least intellectual - experience as well.

Sure, one could make that argument, but couldn’t one also argue that taking a pee-wee hockey player to an NHL game could be instructional to?

Like I said, I do feel government has a role to play in certain aspects or degrees, I think the argument between reasonable people of different sides of the spectrum should where the line is drawn………..Saying the government should divest itself of all crown corps is just an extreme as others in favour of nationalisation of industry……….defining that middle ground is what the debate should be…….

[mikedavid00]

Our public health insurance is cheaper than private health insurance

Not when 99% of the time your employer is paying for it.

[mikedavid00]

Saying the government should divest itself of all crown corps is just an extreme as others in favour of nationalisation of industry……….defining that middle ground is what the debate should be…….

In a free, private market society that is not Fascist or Communist, the governments mandate is NOT to own businesses.

I hope people understand such a simple, simple concept. Most of you are just jaded from 'how you have grown up here in Canada'.

Now, because of the gov't getting involved in owning businesses over the years, we're in a fascist mess of a country that has a 2 class society; the oppressed private sector worker, and the elite public sector 'worker'. (I use quotes because they don't actually work. They're work is just fake work/make work. When they do work, it's actually part time with summer vacations, lavish benefits, salaries, unreal pensions.. it's amazing)

[Guest Derek L]

In a free, private market society that is not Fascist or Communist, the governments mandate is NOT to own businesses.

I hope people understand such a simple, simple concept. Most of you are just jaded from 'how you have grown up here in Canada'.

Now, because of the gov't getting involved in owning businesses over the years, we're in a fascist mess of a country that has a 2 class society; the oppressed private sector worker, and the elite public sector 'worker'. (I use quotes because they don't actually work. They're work is just fake work/make work. When they do work, it's actually part time with summer vacations, lavish benefits, salaries, unreal pensions.. it's amazing)

The Bank of Canada is a business?

The oppressed private sector? You do realize, for some MPs, the job is a paycut......