Yep, and union protectionism. Reminds me of this story from last year...
Toronto man builds park stairs for $550, irking city after $65,000 estimate
I remember that story! Shining example of how taxpayers get robbed.
In days past, community members would often improve things around town. You can sometimes see payments made to them in old town records. Now the simplest task is drowned in red tape and every inch costs an exorbitant amount of taxpayer money.
"Yep, and union protectionism."
It is also about control over people. Bureaucratic tyrants love tyranny.