The provincial government’s budget cuts were a politically-based choice, not a fiscally-based one.
That’s what Tom Graham, the president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in Saskatchewan emphasized at a public forum held in Melfort May 24 and Tisdale May 25.
“We’re here trying to raise awareness around the provincial budget and, most importantly, how it’s not necessary to have these austerity measures, that there are alternatives to the revenue shortfalls the government’s concerned about.”
As part of the budget, the province cut $54 million from school divisions’ operating budget. The union calculates that spending per pupil is down $505.
Graham said it remains to be seen if there will be layoffs, but if that’s the case, he predicts larger class sizes and less supports for intensive needs students.
The union is concerned about changes to legislation that reduces the autonomy of school divisions. Thanks to the changes, the education minister has the power to change the rules without needing the approval of the legislature. There’s also more conditions on the grants given to school divisions: they now have to spend certain grants on certain items instead of allocating it where they think it’s needed.
The result is to negate the public’s desire for a local, autonomous school division – a desire that made the government back down from its plans to amalgamate the divisions, the union said.
The union is also concerned about other cuts made in the budget, as well as downloading to civic governments.
“They say they’re saving money, but they’re just shifting the costs onto other people,” said Cheryl Stadnichuk, a researcher with the union.
Graham said he’s not pleased with changes the province has made to its tax system. By choosing to raise PST, it hurts the average person that spends a greater portion of their incomes on goods. By choosing to cut income taxes on individuals and corporations, those that make more income will save more.
The union said if the government didn’t cut income taxes, that money would cover the education cuts, cuts to municipalities, STC and the hearing aid plan that was eliminated.
Graham said if he was in charge, he would focus on using income taxes to raise money instead of using sales tax, so that those that make more would pay more.
“I wouldn’t be giving the corporate world a tax break. For what purpose? It makes no sense. They can wait their turn.”
The union president said those that are upset about the province’s budget can still act.
“It’s important that people understand that the choices are there and that they need to insist with their locally elected politicians that different choices need to be made and that this is unacceptable. The budget may have passed, but that does not mean it can’t be changed.”
