I was proud to stand in support of NSGEU members, and Nova Scotians at large, who face a degradation in their quality of life as a result of this budget.
You can watch the recorded Member Statement below:
PAUL WOZNEY « » : Speaker, today in the gallery, I am pleased to welcome Sandra Mullen, President of the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union, and four members of NSGEU’s Political Action Committee, who represent 28,000 NSGEU members from all regions of the province. I believe they’re in the gallery behind me this morning. (Applause)
THE SPEAKER « » : Welcome to the House of the People. We hope you enjoy your time here.
The honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid.
NSGEU: RALLY AGAINST CUTS – SUPPORT
PAUL WOZNEY « » : Speaker, today I rise to draw attention to what will take place outside of Province House, and to stand in solidarity with the NSGEU, whose more than 28,000 members are instrumental to the delivery of services all Nova Scotians rely on.
Today, the NSGEU is warning us that Nova Scotian workers will fund this deficit budget through the jobs and livelihood it sacrifices. There’s an additional message for us to heed: All Nova Scotians will pay for this budget’s deep cuts with a marked decrease in the quality and range of services available to support them. Austerity dressed up as protection threatens to tear apart the already tattered provincial systems we rely on. It will thrust even more families into uncertainty. The hundreds of Nova Scotians who are losing their jobs will struggle to find any relief through social supports because they’re also on the chopping block.
The NSGEU’s warning should be heeded by the entire province, but most of all by the members of government seated in this House. Cuts to frontline jobs mean cuts to the quality of life for all Nova Scotians.
