Nearly 400 delegates at the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour convention voted to fight the weakening of municipal services through privatization in Saskatchewan.
“When municipal workers look at the services we provide, we see our neighbours and families who depend on them. When a private corporation looks at those same services, it sees an opportunity to make money, and that difference matters.” President Tyler Hutchinson of Local 21 said in a compelling speech supporting the resolution.
These aren’t jobs where someone can simply show up and replace decades of experience overnight. CUPE municipal workers know which water mains need maintenance, which roads flood every spring, and which building permits, inspections, and safety standards protect residents from preventable hazards. Their experience means recognizing risks before they become emergencies, preventing infrastructure failures, and keeping our communities safe. That knowledge isn’t just valuable; it can be the difference between preventing a disaster and responding to one.
With profits driving decision making, corners get cut, maintenance gets deferred and the quality suffers. When we’re talking about drinking water, road maintenance and critical public infrastructure, these aren’t just inconveniences or inefficiencies. They’re risks to public safety, and the Saskatchewan residents who are left paying the hidden cost of privatization.
“We proved at Saskatoon’s Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre that when workers and communities stand together, we can stop privatization in its tracks. CUPE Saskatchewan will fight privatization every step of the way, because these are our communities, these are our services.”; CUPE Saskatchewan President, Kent Peterson
Municipal workers don’t just work in these communities. They live here, raise their families here, and take pride in keeping their neighbours safe. That kind of expertise, accountability, and commitment to community can’t be bought from the lowest bidder.
“We’re not just looking after roads, parks and buildings. We’re looking after our community.” Appealed Huchinson