Lori Johb, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

By CKOM News

SPEAKING OUT

Unions say Sask. Party should focus on affordability crisis, not parental rights

Oct 19, 2023 | 8:11 AM

As the parental rights debate continues in Saskatchewan, those opposing the proposed legislation are making their voices heard.

The legislation, dubbed the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” includes a measure requiring schools to inform parents when a young student wishes to change the name or pronouns they use in school.

On Wednesday, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and SEIU-West held a news conference outside of Saskatchewan Party MLA Gordon Wyant’s office.

Lori Johb, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, explained why the unions chose Wyant’s office in particular.

“We need to be talking to Sask. Party MLAs because we know for a fact that Gordon Wyant was the MLA that stood up and … changed the human rights legislation so that gender inclusion was included in the human rights,” said Johb.

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“We need to send them a message that we are paying attention.”

Johb explained that the provincial government’s controversial push for increased parental rights is taking the focus away from more important issues.

“There are so many serious issues that are happening in our province; things we need to have our government pay attention to and (take) seriously,” said Johb. “That’s not happening because everybody is so distracted by the circus that is happening in our legislature.”

Despite a number of major demonstrations opposing the proposed parental rights legislation, Johb said she doesn’t know if the government will change its mind.

“I don’t think Scott Moe has it in him to do the right thing around this issue,” said Johb.

Barbara Cape, president of SEIU-West, said the government needs to focus on more important issues like the affordability crisis and not the parental rights and pronoun policy.

Barbara Cape, president of SEIU-West. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

“The people that I talk to across the province are not talking about this circus in the legislature right now – they’re talking about ‘How do I afford groceries and gas?’” said Cape.

“I’m talking about Sharon from home care who can’t afford to make ends meet because they are so poorly paid in the health-care system.”

Cape said the province has a massive affordability issue right now that isn’t being talked about enough.

“Has anybody gone to buy lettuce recently? It’s ridiculous. We can’t afford the groceries in our grocery store. We can’t afford to put gas in our cars,” said Cape. “This is what matters to people.”

Both Cape and Johb agreed that affordability should be the top priority for the provincial government.