Editor: On April 16, Albertans voted for change, but I’m willing to bet that didn’t include a premier who hands out earplugs in the legislature to his caucus.
Sadly, that’s exactly what happened last week during debate on a UCP bill that breaks the legally binding contracts of 180,000 public sector workers – something that was never mentioned during the campaign.
It seems it wasn’t enough for the UCP to invoke time limits on all stages of debate on their Bad Faith Bargaining Bill that is likely illegal and unconstitutional.
In an affront to democracy, the Premier of Alberta handed out earplugs to his caucus, so they could tune out debate from the Official Opposition on the bill.
This heaped insult on top of injury to public sector workers like nurses and teachers, by telling them their constitutional and negotiated rights aren’t worthy of being heard by the Kenney government.
The Bow Valley attracts some of Alberta’s most talented and experienced public servants. They are our friends and neighbours.
They teach our kids, look after us in our time of need, and care for our wildlife and our environment. They deserve our gratitude and to have their contracts respected, because a deal is a deal.
Given the blatant disrespect shown to them by Premier Kenney, they also deserve an apology from him and our UCP MLA.
Cam Westhead,
Bragg Creek
