Mr. Speaker, consistent with Standing Order 35(2), I am pleased today to rise to speak to the supplementary report by the New Democratic Party to the report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates on its study of public-private partnerships, or P3s.
New Democrats adhere to the basic principle that the foundation for decisions on delivery and oversight of public infrastructure and services must be good governance and sound public administration, not mere reliance on an ideological preference for private over public. Consequently, our supplementary report presents more precise measures to ensure greater accountability and oversight for public spending on and management of infrastructure projects, including through the P3 model.
Many of the recommended safeguards, if considered and adopted, could enable improved transparency and efficacy in P3 projects, particularly for any assessments of value for money. The overall end goal must continue to be the delivery of accessible, affordable public services to Canadians.