Attendees listened to keynote speakers and held up signs at Saturday's 'Alberta-wide Protest' which took place in several cities including Red Deer. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

ready for a fight

Public sector workers rally in Red Deer against government cuts

Feb 29, 2020 | 4:17 PM

From doctors to educators, and across the public sector spectrum, around 200 people showed up at Red Deer City Hall on Saturday to voice their frustrations with the United Conservative government.

Their grievances included pension changes, the privatization of lab services, cuts to education and seniors programming, and what the government is doing to alter time-modifier rules for physicians.

The Red Deer event took place simultaneously with others in several Alberta cities.

“We’re ready to take on the government and show the public this is not the right way to treat the citizens of Alberta,” said Jason Heistad, secretary-treasurer with the Alberta Union of Public Employees (AUPE).

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“We’re looking after all those Albertans who may be on AISH or (other) supports, people who rely on public education, post-secondary, government services, and we’re making sure Albertans are aware that the next three years are going to be the toughest years of our time.”

A resident of Innisfail, Heistad says Albertans will notice the differences caused by this week’s provincial budget sooner than later.

“This is only the first year and over 5900 people who work in these services are no longer going to be there,” he continued. “When you’re going into public facilities or schools, you’re going to notice the lack of teachers’ aides, nurses, LPNs, and the healthcare aides that actually make our public facilities run properly.”

Jane Grenier-Frank, president of the Central Alberta Council on Aging, said the provincial government’s changes, including to eligibility for seniors’ programs, are going to cause people hardship.

“Many of our seniors are in a position where they’ve never had jobs or were in low-paying jobs, so they don’t have a huge pension. If they’re having to now pay an increased amount of money for long-term residential care, that is going to have an impact,” she said.

“Quit passing all this money out, but taking it from seniors. Support our seniors because you’re going to become one.”

Saturday’s event featured several speakers, and was punctuated by a skit dubbed ‘Jason’s Jurassic Jokesters,’ which involved cardboard puppets depicting the premier and various cabinet members.