News release

June 16, 2004

Show us the real cost of your promises

OTTAWA – The leaders of Canada's major political parties need to come clean and tell voters just what federal programs and services will be cut in order to accommodate new spending.

According to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the union representing the majority of federal public sector workers, the parties have provided significant detail on new initiatives and spending plans but virtually no information about how the reallocation of government funding will affect the delivery of current services.

“Before Canadians cast their votes, they have a right to know what programs and services will be cut and which communities and constituencies will be affected,” says PSAC National President Nycole Turmel.   “Our members deserve to know if the funding of new programs, tax cuts or debt and deficit reduction will once again be carried out at the expense of the services they deliver.”

Following the leaders' debates, Turmel has written to the Liberal, Conservative, NDP and Bloc Quebecois parties asking them to respond to some key questions which have yet to be answered during the election campaign. Click here to read the letters.

“Canadians, including our members, should not have to vote in an atmosphere of uncertainty over the future of federal public services,” suggests Turmel.   “We're asking the leaders to clearly state whether or not they intend to cut federal programs, services and expenditures, and which, if any, will be cut.   We want to know where they stand on the privatization of public services including public private partnerships (P3s) and where they'll get the staff to deliver the range of public services they're proposing.”

The union is also asking the leaders to indicate what they would do, as an employer, to accelerate the bargaining process and conclude fair agreements for PSAC members.   “Whichever party forms the next government, they will also instantly assume the role of the largest employer in the country,” explains Turmel.  

PSAC's collective agreements with Treasury Board and federal agencies, covering some 130,000 workers, started running out in June 2003 and there are still no settlements in sight.   The lead-up to the election put labour relations on the back-burner as government negotiators came to the bargaining table without mandates.  

During this fourth week of the election campaign, PSAC members across the country are conducting a series of solidarity activities to protest the state of negotiations.   The activities coincide with National Public Service Week, a week set aside ostensibly to honour the contribution of federal public sector workers.  

Turmel has asked the party leaders to reply in writing and for an opportunity to meet with them.  

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For information: Louise Laporte, PSAC Communications, (613) 560-4287

36-160604

Letter to the Liberal leader

Letter to the Conservative leader

Letter to the NDP leader

Letter to the Bloc leader

By Hand

 June 16, 2004

The Right Honourable Paul Martin

Prime Minister of Canada

81 Metcalfe Street, Suite 400

Ottawa, Ontario

K1P 6M8

Dear Mr. Martin:

Since the election call a little over three weeks ago, all four major political parties have released detailed platforms, and commented on the range and types of public services that will be provided should their party form the next government.

There are a number of election issues—many of which are addressed in a special election tabloid that the PSAC distributed to its members and posted on its website—that are of critical importance for PSAC members and all workers in the federal public sector. They are equally important for Canadians who rely on federal services. Rather than reiterate all the issues here, I am asking that you state clearly and unequivocally where you stand on two issues. They are:

Collective Bargaining

As you know, bargaining has reached a critical point for PSAC members working directly for the federal government, and for the Canada Revenue Agency, Parks Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.   While the election campaign is not the appropriate place to determine compensation, it is appropriate for political parties to articulate their position on bargaining-related issues, since their elected members will have the ability to influence the program in opposition, and in the event that they form the government, they will instantly become the employer of federal public sector workers.

If elected to form the government after June 28 th , what bargaining mandate will you provide to Treasury Board and federal agencies?  

How will you demonstrate your support for free collective bargaining?  

As an employer, what will you do to accelerate the bargaining process so that PSAC members can finally conclude fair collective agreements with their employer?  

Will you oppose back-to-work legislation in the event of strike action later this summer or in the fall?

Quality Public Services

While all of the political party platforms contain significant detail on new initiatives and spending plans, they do not outline as clearly which existing programs and services will be cut to facilitate the new spending.

That's a serious omission. Voters, including PSAC members who deliver services to the public on the government's behalf, need to know what programs and services will be cut.   They need to know which communities and constituencies will be impacted.   And they need to know whether the government will treat the people behind the service—federal public sector workers—as     partners in the delivery of service or, as has often been the case in the past, a means of funding new programs, tax cuts or debt and deficit reduction.

Do you plan to cut programs, services and expenditures in order to fund new expenditures as outlined in your election program?   Which, if any, programs, services or expenditures do you plan to cut if you form a government or support as an opposition party?

What is your position on the privatization of federal public services, including Public Private Partnerships (P3s)?

What do you believe is the appropriate staffing level necessary to deliver the range of public services that you are proposing?

PSAC members and a great many Canadians need to know where you stand on these issues before voting on June 28 th . As a result, I would appreciate receiving a written reply, as well as an opportunity to discuss the issues with you in person.

Sincerely,

Nycole Turmel,

National President.

By Hand

June 16, 2004

Stephen Harper, Leader

Conservative Party of Canada

#1720 - 130 Albert Street

Ottawa , Ontario       K1P 5G4

Dear Mr. Harper:

Since the election call a little over three weeks ago, all four major political parties have released detailed platforms, and commented on the range and types of public services that will be provided should their party form the next government.

There are a number of election issues—many of which are addressed in a special election tabloid that the PSAC distributed to its members and posted on its website—that are of critical importance for PSAC members and all workers in the federal public sector. They are equally important for Canadians who rely on federal services. Rather than reiterate all the issues here, I am asking that you state clearly and unequivocally where you stand on two issues. They are:

Collective Bargaining

As you know, bargaining has reached a critical point for PSAC members working directly for the federal government, and for the Canada Revenue Agency, Parks Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.   While the election campaign is not the appropriate place to determine compensation, it is appropriate for political parties to articulate their position on bargaining-related issues, since their elected members will have the ability to influence the program in opposition, and in the event that they form the government, they will instantly become the employer of federal public sector workers.

If elected to form the government after June 28 th , what bargaining mandate will you provide to Treasury Board and federal agencies?  

How will you demonstrate your support for free collective bargaining?

As an employer, what will you do to accelerate the bargaining process so that PSAC members can finally conclude fair collective agreements with their employer?  

Will you oppose back-to-work legislation in the event of strike action later this summer or in the fall?

Quality Public Services

While all of the political party platforms contain significant detail on new initiatives and spending plans, they do not outline as clearly which existing programs and services will be cut to facilitate the new spending.

That's a serious omission. Voters, including PSAC members who deliver services to the public on the government's behalf, need to know what programs and services will be cut.   They need to know which communities and constituencies will be impacted.   And they need to know whether the government will treat the people behind the service—federal public sector workers—as     partners in the delivery of service or, as has often been the case in the past, a means of funding new programs, tax cuts or debt and deficit reduction.

Do you plan to cut programs, services and expenditures in order to fund new expenditures as outlined in your election program?   Which, if any, programs, services or expenditures do you plan to cut if you form a government or support as an opposition party?

What is your position on the privatization of federal public services, including Public Private Partnerships (P3s)?

What do you believe is the appropriate staffing level necessary to deliver the range of public services that you are proposing?

PSAC members and a great many Canadians need to know where you stand on these issues before voting on June 28 th . As a result, I would appreciate receiving a written reply, as well as an opportunity to discuss the issues with you in person.  

Sincerely,

Nycole Turmel,

National President.

By Hand

June 16, 2004

Jack Layton, Leader

New Democratic Party

300 - 279 Laurier West

Ottawa , Ontario

K1P 5J9

Dear Mr. Layton:

Since the election call a little over three weeks ago, all four major political parties have released detailed platforms, and commented on the range and types of public services that will be provided should their party form the next government.

There are a number of election issues—many of which are addressed in a special election tabloid that the PSAC distributed to its members and posted on its website—that are of critical importance for PSAC members and all workers in the federal public sector. They are equally important for Canadians who rely on federal services. Rather than reiterate all the issues here, I am asking that you state clearly and unequivocally where you stand on two issues. They are:

Collective Bargaining

As you know, bargaining has reached a critical point for PSAC members working directly for the federal government, and for the Canada Revenue Agency, Parks Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.   While the election campaign is not the appropriate place to determine compensation, it is appropriate for political parties to articulate their position on bargaining-related issues, since their elected members will have the ability to influence the program in opposition, and in the event that they form the government, they will instantly become the employer of federal public sector workers.

If elected to form the government after June 28 th , what bargaining mandate will you provide to Treasury Board and federal agencies?  

How will you demonstrate your support for free collective bargaining?  

As an employer, what will you do to accelerate the bargaining process so that PSAC members can finally conclude fair collective agreements with their employer?  

Will you oppose back-to-work legislation in the event of strike action later this summer or in the fall?

Quality Public Services

While all of the political party platforms contain significant detail on new initiatives and spending plans, they do not outline as clearly which existing programs and services will be cut to facilitate the new spending.

That's a serious omission. Voters, including PSAC members who deliver services to the public on the government's behalf, need to know what programs and services will be cut.   They need to know which communities and constituencies will be impacted.   And they need to know whether the government will treat the people behind the service—federal public sector workers—as     partners in the delivery of service or, as has often been the case in the past, a means of funding new programs, tax cuts or debt and deficit reduction.

Do you plan to cut programs, services and expenditures in order to fund new expenditures as outlined in your election program?   Which, if any, programs, services or expenditures do you plan to cut if you form a government or support as an opposition party?

What is your position on the privatization of federal public services, including Public Private Partnerships (P3s)?

What do you believe is the appropriate staffing level necessary to deliver the range of public services that you are proposing?

PSAC members and a great many Canadians need to know where you stand on these issues before voting on June 28 th . As a result, I would appreciate receiving a written reply, as well as an opportunity to discuss the issues with you in person.  

Sincerely,

Nycole Turmel,

National President.

By Fax - (514) 725-4606

June 16, 2004

Gilles Duceppe

Leader, Bloc Québécois

3750 Cremazie Est,

Bureau 307,

Montréal, (Québec)   H2A 1B6

Dear Mr. Duceppe :

Since the election call a little over three weeks ago, all four major political parties have released detailed platforms, and commented on the range and types of public services that will be provided should their party form the next government.

There are a number of election issues—many of which are addressed in a special election tabloid that the PSAC distributed to its members and posted on its website—that are of critical importance for PSAC members and all workers in the federal public sector. They are equally important for Canadians who rely on federal services. Rather than reiterate all the issues here, I am asking that you state clearly and unequivocally where you stand on two issues. They are:

Collective Bargaining

As you know, bargaining has reached a critical point for PSAC members working directly for the federal government, and for the Canada Revenue Agency, Parks Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.   While the election campaign is not the appropriate place to determine compensation, it is appropriate for political parties to articulate their position on bargaining-related issues, since their elected members will have the ability to influence the program in opposition, and in the event that they form the government, they will instantly become the employer of federal public sector workers.

If elected to form the government after June 28 th , what bargaining mandate will you provide to Treasury Board and federal agencies?  

How will you demonstrate your support for free collective bargaining?  

As an employer, what will you do to accelerate the bargaining process so that PSAC members can finally conclude fair collective agreements with their employer?  

Will you oppose back-to-work legislation in the event of strike action later this summer or in the fall?

Quality Public Services

While all of the political party platforms contain significant detail on new initiatives and spending plans, they do not outline as clearly which existing programs and services will be cut to facilitate the new spending.

That's a serious omission. Voters, including PSAC members who deliver services to the public on the government's behalf, need to know what programs and services will be cut.   They need to know which communities and constituencies will be impacted.   And they need to know whether the government will treat the people behind the service—federal public sector workers—as     partners in the delivery of service or, as has often been the case in the past, a means of funding new programs, tax cuts or debt and deficit reduction.

Do you plan to cut programs, services and expenditures in order to fund new expenditures as outlined in your election program?   Which, if any, programs, services or expenditures do you plan to cut if you form a government or support as an opposition party?

What is your position on the privatization of federal public services, including Public Private Partnerships (P3s)?

What do you believe is the appropriate staffing level necessary to deliver the range of public services that you are proposing?

PSAC members and a great many Canadians need to know where you stand on these issues before voting on June 28 th . As a result, I would appreciate receiving a written reply, as well as an opportunity to discuss the issues with you in person.

Sincerely,

Nycole Turmel,

National President.