April 19, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Teachers to vote on ‘final offer’ from province

After months of tension, job actions, and public disagreement, there is a possible end in sight to the ongoing teacher job action in the province.

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Samantha Becotte told media that Saskatchewan teachers will vote on what she called the government’s “final offer”. The proposed three-year agreement would see a salary increase of 3% in year one, 3% in year two, and 2% in year three. The agreement would also reference the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Saskatchewan School Board Association.

Teachers will vote on the offer on May 8 & 9. 

“We didn’t want to go and sit at a table and hear no for another two days as we had previously experienced,” STF president Samantha Becotte told media Thursday morning. “Unfortunately, that is the majority of what occurred.” Becotte also said that she would remain “neutral” during the weeks leading up to the vote by members.

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said he would wait for the STF membership to ratify the proposed contract, and called it a “tentative agreement”, not a final offer.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said in a news release on Thursday that 33% of its membership say the ongoing job actions by STF members was having a negative impact on their business.

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We can’t forget just how important that last piece is to all the others.

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Regina outlines municipal election bylaws ahead of fall vote

The City of Regina will be using a registered voters list for the first time since 1988.

Voters will still be able to register to vote at the polling place, but will be able to register online in advance. Candidates will still be required to pay a $100 deposit. The bylaw also increases the spending limit in alignment with the increase to the consumer price index. The switch to digital voter ID could save the City up to $90,000.

City council will vote on final approval at the April 24 meeting, a housekeeping item, as the council has already unanimously approved the draft.

(Regina Leader-Post)

Sponsored by Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan

Constituency Profile: Rosetown-Delisle

Each week leading up to the 2024 election, The SKoop Political Briefing will highlight a constituency that has nominated a candidate from at least both major parties. Today, we look at Rosetown-Delisle. This west-central riding is home to both namesake towns and rural areas adjacent to the west of Saskatoon.

The incumbent: Jim Reiter. Reiter is a well-known figure in Saskatchewan Party politics. First elected in 2007, he was subsequently re-elected in 2011, 2016, and 2020. Reiter has served in numerous cabinet roles and currently serves as the Minister of Energy and Resources.

The challenger: Brenda Edel. Edel is a community volunteer and President of Barrier Free Saskatchewan. She previously ran in this constituency in 2020 and received 15% of the vote.

The takeaway: This is a safe Sask. Party hold. Reiter has held this riding for 17 years, the entire duration of the government’s tenure. He is one of the only members of the “Class of ‘07” running for re-election along with Christine Tell and Jeremy Harrison. (Ken Cheveldayoff would be the longest-serving MLA after first being elected in 2003.) This rural seat is safe for the incumbent.

Sponsored by Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

More news and info

• Former Regina Walsh Acres by-election candidate enters Sask. Party’s White City-Qu’Appelle nomination race

• Sask. Education Minister apologizes for comment to mother whose daughter died (Global News)

• ER nurses write to the health minister about ‘agency nurses’ (SaskToday)

• LeBlanc plans to run again under Trudeau’s leadership after saying he wanted top job (CBC)

• Anger, pessimism toward federal government reaches 6-year high (Nanos)

2024 Election Candidate Tracker