The City of Saskatoon’s plan to transfer operations of the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre to a third-party organization raises serious concerns. Write to your city councillor today and urge them to keep the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre in public hands – protect jobs, transparency, and community access.
“This move hands over public operations to a third party and comes with significant risks,” said Eric Calaguian, president of CUPE Local 59.
Key issues include:
- Lack of financial transparency: The city has not provided financial modelling or projected savings yet.
- Impact on workers: Approximately 50 skilled municipal employees could lose their jobs or face wage erosion.
- Reduced public access: Decisions made by third-party organizations are not subject to the same oversight of city-run services.
- Weakened accountability: Third-party organizations are not publicly accountable in the same way the city is.
- Dangerous precedent: Contracting out public recreation threatens long-term public control.
“Public services belong in public hands,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “CUPE will fight to protect our members’ jobs and the public services families rely on.”
Write to your city councillor today and urge them to keep the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre in public hands – protect jobs, transparency, and community access.
FIND CONTACT INFO HERE: https://www.saskatoon.ca/city-hall/mayor-city-councillors/city-councillors-wards
Sample letter:
Subject: Keep Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre Public
Dear Councillor [Last Name],
I’m writing to express my concern about the city’s plan to transfer operations of the Harry Bailey
Aquatic Centre to a third-party organization.
This move comes with significant risks, including:
• Lack of financial transparency
• Potential job losses for skilled municipal workers
• Reduced public access and accountability
• A dangerous precedent for contracting out public recreation
As a resident, I believe public services should remain in public hands.
Please protect community access, transparency, and skilled labour by keeping Harry Bailey publicly operated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[The city ward you live in]
/n.m.cope342