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August 21, 2007
Anti-building Sale Protests Move West,
Events Held in Edmonton, Calgary
Western PSAC members joined the growing protests against the federal government’s plan to liquidate federally-owned real estate assests. The controversial sale-leaseback plan, which will see the government on the hook for 25-year leases on the buildings it formerly owned, is still awaiting a final cabinet decision.
Nine buildings, including the Harry Hays Building at 220 – 4 Avenue in Calgary and Canada Place at 9700 Jasper Avenue in Edmonton, are part of an initial offering that could be expanded to include up to 40 federally-owned buildings across the country.
PSAC members who work in the buildings, the general public, Parliamentary committees and opposition politicians across the country have condemned the proposed sale as short-sighted and raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the process.
Government Services Union Regional Vice-President Terry Sperling spoke at a July 31 demonstration in front of Canada Place in Edmonton where PSAC members hand out fans, fortune cookies and literature. Thanks to the efforts of the members of Union of Taxation Employees, Local 30024 and Canada Employment and Immigration Union, Local 30877, a successful plantgate event was held at the Harry Hays Building in Calgary on August 8. Nearly 600 flyers were distributed at the Calgary event.
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