January 28, 2009
News release
Federal budget fails women, working people says PSAC
Ottawa – The 172,000 member Public Service Alliance of Canada says the 2009 federal budget infringes on workers' and women's rights, threatening public services at a time when Canadians need them the most.
“This budget fails working people and threatens to undermine the public services that Canadians rely on during a financial crisis of this scale,” says John Gordon, PSAC National President. “Cutting taxes will do little to create jobs or help unemployed Canadians. Working people expected more of this budget – and we expect more of our federal government.”
According to PSAC, the following features of the budget threaten quality public services and fail working people:
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The proposal to “modernize” the federal pay equity regime would remove women's right to go to court to demand equal pay for work of equal value.
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Proposed legislation on public sector compensation will likely roll back previously negotiated wage increases – effectively breaking collective agreements for many PSAC workers including those employed by the Canada Revenue Agency.
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An infrastructure spending program that requires provinces and municipalities to contribute 73 cents before the federal money will be committed -- delaying critical job creating projects that should be stimulating Canada's economy this year, not next.
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“Band-Aid” changes to the Employment Insurance program do nothing to ensure access to benefits for the 60 per cent of unemployed people in Canada who currently do not qualify for EI – the majority of whom are women.
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The continued emphasis on public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects – including the proposed sell-off of federal assets – will cost the public significantly more money and prove to be much less accountable than publicly-financed ones.
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Billions in tax cuts will do little to stimulate the economy and would be better invested in much-needed public services such as universal child care and pharmacare.
For more information:
Ariel Troster, PSAC Communications 613-292-8363 (cell)
06-280109
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
