Share
EDMONTON—For Albertan families struggling under a pandemic and a slumping economy, the budget cuts introduced today will only make matters worse, says Unifor.
“Jason Kenney doesn’t get it: Albertans don’t need an experiment in austerity. They need good jobs and high-quality public services to weather these challenging times,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Despite the call from business lobbyists to re-balance government revenue, the 2021 Alberta Budget instead contains a myriad of spending cuts, including K–12 education, post-secondary education, and public service levels. No announcement was made on paid sick leave.
On top of today’s budget disappointments, Premier Kenney is also under fire for excluding large numbers of front-line workers from federally-funded danger pay.
“By ignoring workers and now his buddies in big business Jason Kenney has gone out way out on a limb,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “It’s only a matter of time before he comes crashing down. If we don’t resist these austerity experiments, he could bring the whole province down with him.”
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
For media inquiries or to arrange interviews via Facetime, Zoom, or Skype please contact Unifor Communications Representative Ian Boyko at @email or 778-903-6549 (cell).
