CUPE holds rally as spring legislative session about to end

Protesters were out with signs, a podium with a microphone and a Brad Wall puppet to voice their opposition to the government’s current budget.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) held a rally on the steps of the Legislative building in Regina on Tuesday.

Around 70 people were present as speakers voiced their displeasure to the many cuts the government made in its recent budget, including those to education, health and the closure of STC.

CUPE’s Jackie Christianson described the budget as “mean-spirited”, “cruel” and “disgusting.”

She spoke about the cuts being made to the education sector which has led to preschool program cuts.

“These are vulnerable students, you are setting these kids up for failure.”

Matthew Mickleborough was at the rally.

He said the cuts to education are going to have one of the biggest impacts from this budget and said the government are “extremely short-sighted.”

“It’s a nonsense budget,” Mickleborough said.

Another topic on people’s mind is the upcoming closure of STC.

The union representing STC have said they will be going to the courts to try and delay the closure.

Jeannie Mah doesn’t use STC but sees the need for it across the province whether it be for transporting people, medicine or books from libraries.

“I want to support it because I want to support this province, I want this province to be the best it can be,” Mah said.

Christianson said the government can find other ways to help decrease the deficit.

“I would suggest one great and important way is to increase the taxes to their corporate buddies,” Christianson said.