In聽 Yorkton 713 residents have signed a petition saying no to privatization.
Recently, the Own It! campaign and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) delivered 17,247 petition signatures to the Legislature, calling on the provincial government to stop its risky and costly privatization agenda.
This petition is one of the largest in Saskatchewan鈥檚 history, and shows that Saskatchewan people across the province are looking for investment into their Crowns and public services, not a sell-off to private, out-of-province corporations.
鈥淭he broad support for this petition clearly shows that the government doesn鈥檛 have a mandate to privatize and take away the benefits of strong Crowns and public services,鈥� said SFL President Larry Hubich.
Privatization has already had a devastating impact on the lives of hospital laundry workers in Yorkton.
Forty-three laundry workers lost their jobs last year as a direct result of the government鈥檚 decision to privatize Sunrise Health Region鈥檚 laundry services.
The 40 public liquor stores that are slated for closure earned profits of $32.6 million in 2014. The money earned by our province鈥檚 public liquor stores 鈥� $252 million in 2014 鈥� is returned to Saskatchewan families and communities 鈥� and helps pay for services like schools, hospitals and highways.
鈥淲e鈥檙e giving up ownership of our province 鈥� bit by bit 鈥� and we won鈥檛 get it back,鈥� said Hubich.
鈥淪askatchewan people across the province are saying to stop privatization now.鈥�
The Sask Party government is also putting private profits ahead of public services by using a public private partnership (P3) model to build a bypass, nine joint-use elementary schools, a long-term care home in Swift Current, and a hospital in North Battleford with an integrated correctional mental health facility. Evidence shows P3 partnerships increase costs and lead to lower-quality construction and maintenance.
鈥淵orkton residents know what鈥檚 at stake鈥攁nd that鈥檚 why they鈥檙e saying no to privatization,鈥� said Hubich. 鈥淪askatchewan families want to secure a strong future for their kids and grandkids here鈥攁nd that includes keeping our Crowns and public services in public hands.鈥�
