Scott Moe’s budget fails to address the urgent investments needed in public services and frontline workers to strengthen Saskatchewan’s economy and get the province’s finances on track.
Representing 31,000 frontline workers across the province, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Saskatchewan is disappointed the government did not act on workers’ priorities that were laid out ahead of the budget.
“Unfortunately, Scott Moe’s budget ignores many of the solutions that would help stabilize our public services and support the workers who keep our communities running,” said Kent Peterson. “When Scott Moe fails to invest in health care, education, and training, it hurts workers, families, and our economy.”
Ahead of the budget, CUPE Saskatchewan called on Scott Moe and his government to take practical steps to address the province’s deficit while strengthening services communities rely on. Proposals included:
- Increasing pay for health-care workers to stabilize the system and stimulate local economies.
- Redirecting spending away from costly temporary employment agencies toward retaining permanent staff.
- Capping excessive executive salaries in public institutions and ending administrative bloat.
- Investing in post-secondary education and training here at home for the workers we actually need.
- A commitment to stronger EA-to-student ratios in schools, so no young person is left behind.
- Cancellation of expensive privatization plans for long-term care in Estevan and Watson.
- Stronger financial accountability in the community-based organization sector.
“Scott Moe’s budget fails to invest in public services and the workers who deliver them, which hurts Saskatchewan’s economy now and in the long run,” said Peterson. “Investing in health care, education, and training strengthens our workforce, supports local economies, and helps get our finances back on track. This budget is a missed opportunity that fails the people of Saskatchewan.”