The legislative session has ended but the anger over the provincial budget continues.
Called “Stand up for Saskatchewan”, roughly 500 union members and supporters rallied at the legislature in Regina Wednesday.
The protest focused on the cuts by the government to pay off a $1.3 billion deficit.
“Yes we have had some fiscal pressures, but quite frankly we wouldn’t have a deficit budget in this province if the government hadn’t mismanaged the finances,” SGEU’s Barry Nowoselsky argued.
Those at the rally walked south on Albert Street from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum meeting on the steps of the legislature for speeches before enjoying some hot dogs.
Many carried signs targeting the premier and finance minister with slogans including “stop the wall” and “liar, liar, pants on fire.”
The government wants a 3.5 per cent reduction in public sector compensation this year, which Nowoselsky disagreed with.
“All they are looking at doing is stealing wages and benefits out of the pockets of public sector workers in this province,” Nowoselsky argued. “That is totally unacceptable.”
There are several outstanding contracts government has yet to negotiate.