Editing Public–private partnership (section)

===Debate on privatization===
[[File:Manif_fonction_publique_22_mars_2018_(11706865883).jpg|thumb|Protest in France against encroaching privatization and the introduction of profit-seeking practices in the public sector. (22 March 2018)]]
There is a [[semantic]] debate pertaining to whether public–private partnerships constitute [[privatization]] or not. Some argue that it isn't "privatization" because the government retains ownership of the facility and/or remains responsible for public service delivery. Others argue that they exist on a continuum of privatization, P3s being a more limited form of privatization than the outright sale of public assets, but more extensive than simply [[Outsourcing|contracting out]] government services.

Because "privatization" has a negative connotation in some circles, supporters of P3s generally take the position that P3s do not constitute privatization, while P3 opponents argue that they do. The [[Canadian Union of Public Employees]] describes P3s as "privatization by stealth".<ref name=":0" />{{rp|chapter 1}}