Legislative Report, 22 April, 2005

Another week has gone by and the NDP has once again said one thing and done another. The latest example comes after the NDP government said that all public sector unions would be subject to a 0-1-1 wage mandate and now we find out that the NDP has reached a tentative agreement with teachers for 2-2-2.

On one hand, it is good the NDP has finally dropped its phony wage mandate of 0-1-1 and is now negotiating in good faith. On the other hand, this is yet another instance in a long series of examples where the NDP government tells you one thing to your face and then does another behind your back.

So, why all the grief from NDP Learning Minister Minister Andrew Thomson? Why not just go this way from the start? Why did the NDP have to put teachers, students and parents through the stress of possibly ending the school year?

The Saskatchewan Party does not have a problem with the teachers reaching a tentative agreement for 2-2-2 – they’re worth it. Teachers work hard and deserve fair compensation. They deserve to be part of an open and fair collective bargaining process. What they don’t deserve is the NDP government telling them one thing, forcing them to threaten strike action, and then have the NDP do something completely different.

The NDP saying one thing and doing another is not a new phenomenon. Last election, the NDP promised to lower taxes, but then they increased them. They promised to cut surgical wait lists; since then, Saskatchewan’s wait lists have grown longer and longer.

The NDP said they knew how to invest taxpayer’s money into businesses that will turn profits, but when the beans get counted, the NDP lose money with taxpayers footing the bill.

Finally, the NDP said they would add 200 new police officers. Well, we’re still waiting Mr. Calvert. We’re waiting for you and your government to keep your commitments to Saskatchewan families. It’s time to stop saying one thing and doing another.

The Saskatchewan Party will continue to highlight to the people of the province when the NDP is not being straight with them or telling the truth and we’ll do it every time. If you’ve made a commitment, keep it.

Past Legislative Reports