NDP calling for transparency around Sask. Party’s decision to privatize Crown services

Following the Sask. Party government’s decision to transfer gas and electrical inspections and permitting from SaskPower, gas and electrical licensing from the Ministry of Government Relations and plumbing inspections and permitting from the Saskatchewan Health Authority to the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan, NDP SaskPower Critic Cathy Sproule has written a letter to the relevant Ministers raising several questions about the decision.

“For the sake of fairness and transparency,” said Sproule. “I believe the employees impacted by this decision as well as the people of the province deserve to know why the Sask. Party has decided to go down this route.”

In her letter, addressed to the Ministers responsible for SaskPower, Government Relations, Crown Investments Corporation, and Health, Sproule asked these questions:

• What is the rationale for these transitions? • Why are these transitions taking place now?

• The government news release indicates there will be impact on current staff “during the transition period”; can employees rest assured there will be no job losses as a result of the transition in the short and long terms?

• SaskPower employees are currently represented by Unifor Local 649 and IBEW 2067; how will issues around union representation be managed in this transition?

• What consultations took place before this decision was announced?

• Are there any further plans to transition services out of Saskatchewan’s Crown Corporations and Ministries into the private sector?

“The Sask. Party has a sketchy history when it comes to handling the province’s Crowns and public employees, so it’s important to ask these questions, and even more important that we actually get answers to them.” Sproule said.