Lessons from the Charbonneau Commission

Privatizing public services can have dangerous consequences Most people will remember the explosive allegations exposed by Quebec’s public inquiry into corruption and collusion within Quebec’s construction industry. The Charbonneau Commission found that for years, supposedly reputable companies were awarded public road, wastewater, and other building contracts at highly inflated prices. These companies would then kick back a portion of the profits to the mafia, as well as to government officials and political parties that helped secure the contracts. But what allowed these private companies to establish the intricate corruption schemes and highly inflated prices in the first place? Let’s take a look at some of the causes. Austerity and outsourcing Many of the witnesses agreed: years of austerity and cuts within the Transport Ministry created a situation where there was not sufficient internal expertise to properly monitor and inspect public tendering processes, especially in identifying a project’s needs in the design phase. The ministry was … Read more…

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Equality Statement

Union solidarity is based on the principle that union members are equal and deserve mutual respect at all levels. Any behaviour that creates conflict prevents us from working together to strengthen our union. As unionists, mutual respect, cooperation and understanding are our goals. We should neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Discriminatory speech or conduct which is racist, sexist, transphobic or homophobic hurts and thereby divides us. So too, does discrimination on the basis of ability, age, class, religion, language and ethnic origin. Sometimes discrimination takes the form of harassment. Harassment means using real or perceived power to abuse, devalue or humiliate. Harassment should not be treated as a joke. The uneasiness and resentment that it creates are not feelings that help us grow as a union. Discrimination and harassment focus on characteristics that make us different; and … Read more…

Solution to pre-primary problems is ECEC: CUPE Nova Scotia

A new study which shows more than one-quarter of Nova Scotia children entering primary school have learning problems should not come as a big surprise, according to CUPE Nova Scotia President Danny Cavanagh. “The statistics compiled from data gathered by primary teachers in 2012-2013 confirm what countless studies have shown – that our country, as a whole, is lagging far behind other developed countries when it comes to early childhood education and care (ECEC). The study from the provincial Department Education and Early Childhood Development showed about one in four students (26.8 per cent) start school in Nova Scotia with a developmental challenge, according to questionnaires completed by their teachers.” “This is even more proof that we need to move toward a public system of ECEC, with a dramatic expansion of child care services built right into our existing schools. This is often called the ‘hub model’ and is working really well in other jurisdictions, such … Read more…