Comments (0)Nearly 100 Hatters turned out to the public library Tuesday night as a coalition of labour, senior and student groups discussed how to put a stop to social services cuts.
The coalition, Join Together Alberta, is touring the province encouraging Albertans to vocalize frustrations to what they expect will be massive cuts in the ruling Tories’ upcoming budget.
“The only problem we had,” said Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan of Monday night’s similar meeting in Brooks, “was we didn’t have enough seats.”
In an interview with the News, McGowan said the Tories have reverted to the cut and slash Tory polices of the mid-90s.
“And you can’t cut that deeply to public spending without having profound effects on vital public services,” he said.
“So what we are hoping with these town halls is that Albertans will put enough pressure on the provincial government to reconsider its decision to return to Klein-style cuts.”
McGowan said the province’s finances are strong enough to weather the storm and the government should be dipping into its savings.
“If it’s not raining now as a result of the global recession, I don’t know when it will,” said McGowan.
“Spending money for tough times is not the same as creating public debt.”
David Condon, president of the Medicine Hat and District Labour Council, echoed the sentiment adding that now is not the time to layoff skilled medical and educational staff.
“That might balance the books on (the government’s) end but public sector jobs will be disappearing,” said Condon.
“So what we are saying is that we should be maintaining a strong public sector — especially in times like this.”
Retired couple Allan and Beth Sheldon came down because of their concerns about health care, “especially since it seems it’s on the chopping block.”
The future of senior’s benefits and the drug plan also are of a concern, added Beth.
The couple said they believe it’s part of an effort to privatize health care in the province.
“They’re starving the public system,” said Allan.
The town hall meetings will move on to Lethbridge and Rocky Mountain House today before finishing up in Pincher Creek and Camrose on Thursday.
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