SENT ON BEHALF OF RAJ UPPAL, CUPE ALBERTA PRESIDENT AND LYNDSEY HENDERSON, CUPE POLITICAL ACTION COORDINATOR:
Hello Everyone,
We experienced technical difficulties on Friday and were unable to send the newsletter out, so please accept our sincerest apologies for the delay.
It was wonderful to see so many of you at convention. It’s such an important time for us to come together, share our workplace experiences and challenges, and shape the priorities we’ll be fighting for in the next year.
The Legislature continues to meet, and we’re beginning to see Bills other than the necessary budget legislation. Notably, the Government tabled Bill 18, the Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act, which will severely restrict access to those seeking medical assistance in dying (MAID).
We also saw multiple readings and debates on Private Members Bill 205, introduced by the NDP Shadow Minister for Community and Social Services, which seeks to bring in Accessibility Legislation to Alberta, one of only two provinces in Canada that do not have any.
In addition, coordinated rallies took place across Canada for the Canadian Health Coalition Day of Action against Two-Tier healthcare. CUPE Divisions across Canada denounced Danielle Smith’s Bill 11 and the introduction of American style two tier private healthcare into our province.
CUPE Campaigns, Calls to Action and Events
- CUPE Alberta has launched a census survey to learn more about the demographics and experiences of its members so that we can better serve our membership and help locals thrive. Your responses will help us identify areas of strength within our membership and areas for improvement. Please circulate to all members who are interested in completing the survey.
- Applications are now open for the first National Wild in Leadership Development (WILD) Program – designed to provide leadership skills to Indigenous, Black and racialized and non-binary members of CUPE
- CUPE Save our Schools!
- Send a letter to the Minister and elected representatives to save Fulham School in Grande Yellowhead School District
- Send a letter to the Minister and elected representatives to save Delnorte School in Buffalo Trail School District
- Send a letter to the Minister and elected representatives to save Walter Niblock and Southview School in Medicine Hate
- CUPE Alberta Spring Schools – in Canmore April 26th – May 1st is filling up fast but still has some openings in some workshops.
- State of Emergency Health Care Crisis Stories – over 8000 stories have been shared through our State of Emergency Campaign – read them now and sign on!
- Don’t Touch CPP – Tell Danielle Smith and the Alberta Government that Albertans have made themselves clear, we want to stay in the CPP, and we don’t want any political interference in our pensions
- Friends of Medicare – Stolen Time Film Screening Fort McMurray – Saturday April 11th 7:00 PM
- Alberta Federation of Labour – Worker Agenda Town Hall – Grande Prairie – March 24th 6:00 PM
- Alberta Federation of Labour Mid-Term Forum – April 24th – 25th – Chateau Lacome, Edmonton
- Public Interest Alberta – Annual Gala May 7th 5:00 PM – Chateau Louise Hotel and Conference Centre, Edmonton
- Public Interest Alberta – Annual Conference “Common Purpose, Collective Action” – May 8th– 9th – Barnett House Edmonton
- CUPE Health and Safety Conference – May 24th– 25th Edmonton – Delta Hotels Edmonton South Conference Centre
Week in Review
- Danielle Smith and the UCP have severely restricted access to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) just as the federal government is considering broadening eligibility. The restrictions include not being able to access MAID for patients whose only underlying condition is mental illness; they are only able to access it if they are likely to pass in the next 12 months, and in almost all cases, a direct family member must be present during the administration of MAID.
- Search warrants have been executed on properties linked to Sam Mraiche, who is at the center of the ongoing corrupt care scandal. The RCMP have refused to comment, except to confirm they have executed multiple search warrants. Ongoing concerns around this are the procurement of the “Turkish Tylenol”, preferential real estate deals of Government of Alberta properties, providing tickets to NHL playoff games for multiple Government Ministers and senior bureaucrats, and family ties to cabinet members.
- Danielle Smith has confirmed that she took a private flight to the Middle East at the invitation of the Saudi royal family, despite previously criticizing other elected officials for taking private flights while conducting official business.
- NDP Shadow Minister for Community and Social Services Marie Renaud has tabled a private members’ bill (Bill 206) to bring in Alberta’s first accessibility legislation. Alberta and Prince Edward Island are the only provinces in Canada without accessibility legislation.
- At the recent Rural Municipalities Association convention this week, major concerns were raised with the Government about massive wait times and delays for rural ambulances, massive unpaid property taxes by oil and gas companies, orphan well clean up and more. They released a Property Tax Accountability Strategy (PTAS) report, which provides 17 recommendations to the government about how to address some of these concerns.
- The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters released a report about the major gaps in rural transportation and the impacts they have on victims of domestic violence.
- A provincial inspection of the Bearspaw Feeder main in Calgary, it will be essential to keep track of ongoing developments about oversight and control of the water utility as the city continues to work with the province about repairs and infrastructure condition.
- A challenge to Canmore’s Vacancy Tax has been dismissed from the Alberta Court of Appeal. The town has hailed this as a win for the ability of towns and municipalities to shape and enforce their own bylaws in support of their unique communities.
- The ND Opposition has called on the Government to instate the fuel tax relief program to assist Albertans with the massive cost of living pressure as we face massive price increases at the fuel pumps.
- Municipal elected officials from across Alberta have raised dire concerns about the massive wait times and accessibility issues accessing ambulances
- Orthopedic surgeons are warning of possible mass surgery cancellations as contracts are due to expire on April 1st. Physicians have been working hard to reach an agreement to avoid any disruption or cancellations.
- The province will not be renewing the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, which provided up to $500,000 matching grants to municipalities for energy conservation and electricity generation projects
- For the first time in its history, the provincial government is providing $90 million in public funding to help build private schools.