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STF and Government enter binding arbitration

Saskatchewan teachers work-to-rule sanctions ended on Friday as the STF and the government agreed to enter into binding arbitration.

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation hosted a virtual town hall last week attended by almost 6,000 members. The town hall discussed options for moving forward and teachers participated in a survey where they could voice their opinions on the preferred option. The results were heavily in favour of entering binding arbitration. This comes after the government amended its offer to include classroom complexity as an accountability framework item.

STF President Samantha Becotte thanked parents, caregivers, teachers, and students, saying, “This has been a challenging school year, but teachers have always put the needs of all of their current students and future students first. Their support and strength have inspired us through this bargaining process.”

Binding arbitration means Saskatchewan teachers will not have the chance to vote on the contract. The agreement written by the independent arbitrator is legally binding and will be accepted by both sides. Results could take up to a few months for the written decision to be completed. This will end the longest period of job action by teachers in Saskatchewan’s history.

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill thanked parents for their patience, saying, “Binding arbitration will provide predictability in the lives of students, families, and teachers as the school year comes to an end, all while allowing for a path to the finalization of a new provincial collective agreement.”

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“A bunch of morons”: Regina City Council votes down permanent shelter

After seven hours of debate last week, Regina City Council has voted down the proposed site for what could be a full-time shelter.

The City of Regina staff completed a three-year search that included 35 different properties and in the end, there was one single recommendation by administration. City Manager Niki Anderson told the council that the property at 1440 Albert Street is the ‘best they can do’.

The $7.5 million deal would have seen 55 beds in a permanent homeless shelter, and the federal government would fund 80% of the cost. This shelter would need to be renovated and would replace the current Nest Health Centre shelter, where the lease expires next summer.

Five councillors and the Mayor voted against the motion which left City Manager Anderson ‘baffled’ saying, “City staff don’t believe we will come up with a better option.” The option for the City to purchase the properties at 1420 and 1440 Albert Street will expire on June 19, meaning the council had to decide at the last meeting. With an election happening in November, it is likely the decision could be punted to the next council. Mayor Sandra Masters defended her decision and hoped that money could be invested in another group to purchase the shelter, saying “The work is not done,” and “I don’t necessarily want to own the real estate.”

Councillor Andrew Stevens, who is not running for re-election, said “I think collectively we look like a bunch of morons.” Dan LeBlanc, who recently announced he will seek another term, said the council is missing in action on the issue, “If we had a book about this Council’s approach to homelessness, it would be called ‘Thoughts and Prayers.’”

LeBlanc and Stevens filed a lawsuit against the City Manager last year for refusing to put the cost of homelessness as a budget line item.

(CBC News)

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Liberals get no credit for interest rate cut, Conservatives lead by 20 points: new poll

Any hope that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had that an interest rate cut would improve his political fortune appears to be gone.

Abacus Data published new numbers over the weekend and the topline is 42% Conservative, 22% Liberal, 19% for the NDP, and the Greens are at 5%. The survey says “About a month ago, the gap between the Conservatives and Liberals was 16-points. Today it is 20. At 22%, this is the lowest vote share we have measured for the Liberals since they were elected in 2015.”

In Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the Conservatives are sitting at 51% while the NDP is in second with 30%.

The trendlines also favour Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives:

Later this month there will be a byelection in Toronto St. Pauls, formerly one of the safest Liberal seats in the country. Polls and pundits indicate a close race. A poor performance in a by-election coupled with the lowest level of committed voter support since 2015 may lead to interesting dynamics federally.

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More news and info

• Saskatchewan Speaker calls meeting to get to the bottom of Jeremy Harrison gun allegations (Global News)

• Nutrien turns to AI to improve efficiency and safety in mining potash (Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

• CIHI: Sask. hospitals are below national average for occupancy (CKOM News)

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