PREMIER DECRIES OPPOSITION'S FEAR-MONGERING TACTICS

Released on December 7, 2004

Premier Lorne Calvert said the Opposition has been engaging in fear-mongering and is attempting to mislead the public about the implications of the potential proclamation of the Additional Hours section of The Labour Standards Act.

Calvert noted that draft regulations have not even been completed yet. When draft regulations are completed, all stakeholders - the business sector, part-time workers, students and others - will be consulted before proceeding any further.

"We are engaging in a dialogue," Calvert said. "We have not made any decision. We are undertaking a process, but the Leader of the Opposition is out to create fear and uncertainty."

"The intent of the legislation is to help some of the workers in Saskatchewan who hold two or three part-time jobs," Labour Minister Deb Higgins said. "The legislation is meant to provide those people who want full-time work with some stability in their work lives."

It is important for people to know the government's intention is that:

-The legislation will not impact the majority of Saskatchewan workplaces;

-Any regulations that are adopted will not take existing hours away from one employee and give them to another and will not result in employees losing their jobs;

-The regulations will not mean employers will have to pay more overtime;

-The regulations will not mean unqualified workers will be put in positions they are not qualified to perform; and

-The regulations will not apply in short-term, emergency situations, like when someone calls in sick.

The government wants to ensure any changes to the legislation will serve to increase the number of full-time job opportunities within the province so that young people are able to find meaningful work here, and not have to seek opportunities outside of Saskatchewan.

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