CANADA
The Government of the Canadian Province of Alberta has sent letters to Public Service unions warning nearly 6,000 jobs could be eliminated in order to cut costs and find efficiencies.
One letter, received by the union representing health workers, stated that the Government would continue to guarantee employment security until 30 March 2020.
“As of 1 April next year, the Government will use all options available under the collective agreement to ensure Government is on track to implement key priorities and support the Government’s path to balance the Budget by 2023,” the letter continued.
The letter does not go into detail about what those initiatives were, but several Government Ministries were specifically mentioned: Health, Service Alberta, Community and Social Services, Agriculture and Forestry, Seniors and Housing, and Transportation.
Opposition Leader, Rachel Notley called the potential cuts “cruel and heartless”, saying they represented a betrayal of what Premier, Jason Kenney (pictured) promised during his election campaign earlier in the year.
“Jason Kenney repeatedly claimed that he was going to protect front-line services. He does not have a mandate for this because this is the exact opposite of what he told Albertans he would do,” Ms Notley said.
Minister for Finance, Travis Toews said the status quo was not a sustainable option.
“Alberta spends more per capita on services than other large Provinces, with often worse results,” Mr Toews said.
Edmonton, 2 December 2019
