The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour trashed the Speech from the Throne Wednesday, calling it a “hollow epitaph” for outgoing Premier Brad Wall’s career.
The SFL had organized a rally of hundreds of supporters outside the legislature Wednesday, in opposition to Wall government policies. Meanwhile, the Throne Speech was delivered inside by Lieutenant-Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield to officially open the fall sitting of the Legislature.
In a statement, SFL president Larry Hubich voiced skepticism about the government’s about-face on Bill 40 -- the bill that would have allowed the province to sell off up to 49 percent of Crown corporations without it being put to a vote.
“The labour movement organized and forced the Sask. Party government to abandon its bone-chilling Bill 40,” said Hubich. “While we are happy the premier has said Bill 40 will be repealed, and as we approach Hallowe’en I can’t help but think that Saskatchewan people have been promised treats by this government before, only to be tricked.”
“I won’t believe the Sask. Party government until the stake has been officially driven through Bill 40’s heart – never to rise again to prey on Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations,” he added.
The SFL also issued a warning to the government: to steer clear of attempts to legislate wage rollbacks.
“Stealing money from workers is just not on,” said Hubich. “Any efforts by the Sask. Party government to thieve 3.5% – or any amount – from the wallets of Saskatchewan workers will haunt the government in a major way.”
