We must put our workers first

As I was travelling on the Trans-canada Highway on my way back home to Regina recently, I saw a billboard that promoted Premier Scott Moe as “Standing up for Saskatchewan.”

The irony was unavoidable after my recent visit to Saskpower’s Chinook Power Station near Swift Current, where the government’s failure in “Standing up for Saskatchewan” means hundreds of high-paying construction jobs are going to workers from across Canada — at a time when qualified and affordable local tradespeople are overlooked and unable to find work in their home province.

Members of the Saskatchewan Building Trades worked 57 per cent fewer hours in 2017 than in 2012, and the forecast for 2018 hours is even more dire. That’s why we are calling on Premier Moe to amend the current tendering process so Saskatchewan workers can be assured first shot at provincial government and Crown construction jobs.

Saskatchewan citizens rightfully expect the construction of government projects to help local workers, families and communities. And in many cases, using locally based workers can actually save money.

The Saskatchewan Building Trades has no objection with the free movement of labour between provinces.

Our members regularly travel for work; during the Saskaboom we welcomed workers to our province to help fill surplus jobs.

Earlier this year, the Moe government was not shy about standing up to the Alberta government by banning out-of-province licence plates.

It is time to once again stand up for Saskatchewan workers and make it a priority to keep our local trades employed at home.

With the recent announcement of the federal/provincial infrastructure agreement, our government must clearly commit to putting Saskatchewan workers first. We don’t want handouts — just the opportunity to be part of projects being built in the communities where we live, pay taxes and raise our families.

Dion Malakoff, executive director, Saskatchewan Building Trades