TORONTO - If the Ontario government is looking for
savings in its line ministries, it will be about as successful as buzzards
picking over sun-bleached bones, said Ontario Public Service Employees
Union President Leah Casselman.
“And if it wants to save money on transfer payment
agencies, it is dooming its citizens to equally slim services,” she
said.
“The buzzards are coming home to roost as a result
of past cuts. The people of Walkerton experienced the results last year.
Community nursing programs have trouble hiring nurses because a low-ball
bidding system forces their pay rates so low they can’t attract and keep
staff.
“Children’s Aid Societies and other programs
funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services can’t afford to
pay decent salaries, and families at risk have trouble connecting with the
services they need,” Casselman said
“We’re way past the point where we can find
savings in paperclips and erasers. We’re way beyond cutting frills and
extras. We’re past the point of trimming fat. In many areas of the
public service, you are looking at the parched bones of once-effective
programs that have died of starvation.”
If Ontario truly is heading toward an economic
slump, its citizens will need more - not less - investment in the kind of
programs that help families through hard times. The government should be
looking for what its citizens will need - not how to finance another tax
cut for the wealthy, Casselman said.
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For further information:
Katie FitzRandolph (OPSEU Communications) (416)
448-7440; home (416) 967-5964; cell (416)561-5651; e-mail: kfitzrandolph@opseu.org
Leah Casselman (OPSEU President) (416) 443-8888 Ext.
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