Welcome!

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Thanks for stopping in at my website – We have elected a new leader of the Saskatchewan New Democrats, congratulations Cam Broten! We had a great race with four intelligent, hardworking candidates, thank you to Ryan Meili, Trent Wotherspoon and Erin Weir for your positive and engaging campaigns. The full attention of our united team is on the SK Party government as it continues to work from an agenda no one asked for, one that is filled with surprises.

On March 20th the SK Party government tabled a credit-card budget that cuts health care, fails students and schools and relies on short-sighted privatization schemes. The debt will be increased by another $835 million this year. In the 2012-13 budget year, the Sask Party added $1.1 billion to the total provincial debt. The SK Party continues to ignore calls from the NDP and the independent provincial auditor to use a single set of books. The people of Saskatchewan deserve better.

On my list of critical things to do is reviewing the SK Party’s Saskatchewan Employment Act, an unnecessary overhaul of workplace legislation. I also want to meet with as many people as I can about the issues that they care about. We now know for sure that The SK Party is selling ISC, a highly profitable crown corporation. It is also selling government-owned land meant for affordable housing and selling-off 300 affordable homes. These fire sales should not be necessary in such good times.

We succeeded in making Jimmy’s Law a reality, ensuring more security for late-night workers. This website has more information concerning Jimmy’s Law. We put a spotlight on the fact that refugees were being treated inhumanely, forcing the SK Party to do the right thing. We also saw movement in our push for the creation of an online asbestos registry of public buildings, please sign the petition to Pass Howard’s Law to make the reporting of asbestos in public buildings mandatory.

Please check back again as we update this site regularly. I appreciate any comments you might have or further questions.

Yours

David Forbes, MLA
Saskatoon Centre

Tenants Seek Help with Big Rent Hike; Minister Says Rent Control Not an Option

Posted on by
Reply

The Canadian Press – March 6, 2013,

Residents of a Regina apartment block say they feel like “faceless people” and are frustrated after their building was recently sold to a Calgary company that has implemented massive rent hikes.

In some cases, the tenants say, rents are going up 77 per cent.

Pat Colpitts, a senior who has lived in the building for nine years, says the rent on her small two bedroom apartment is $675, but come Sept. 1 it will jump to $1,195.

“Totally shocked,” Colpitts says of the increase.

“We knew there would be an increase because it’s new owners, but we weren’t expecting $520, maybe $100, maybe $200. But that’s it for me. I’ll be moving out, there’s no ifs, ands or buts.”

“It is financially impossible to stay there, for me, and I would think a lot of other tenants as well,” she added.

Colpitts and a handful of other tenants went to the Saskatchewan legislature Tuesday to plead for help. They want the province to bring in rent control.

Justice Minister Gord Wyant said Thursday that the rent hike was “an exceptional circumstance,” adding that most increases in the province are in the two to four per cent range.

However, Wyant said rent control is off the table.

“We believe that it’s a disincentive to improving properties, it’s a disincentive to the establishment and for the building of new rental accommodations and we’ve seen that across the province and we’ve seen that across the country,” he said.

But the minister said there might be other options for the tenants through the Saskatchewan Rental Industry Housing Association.

“Perhaps there’s some other (solution), maybe phasing it in. There’s lots of solutions that could potentially could be arranged between the parties,” he said.

“And if that doesn’t work, then the program will provide some assistance in trying to find alternate accommodations.”

The Calgary-based Castle Mountain Properties gave the proper six months notice for the increase, said Wyant.

Landlords who belong to the Saskatchewan Rental Housing Industry Association have to give six months notice of rent increases. Other landlords have to give 12 months notice, under legislation passed by the Saskatchewan Party government.

New Democrat David Forbes, who raised the issue in the legislature, says there’s nothing to stop other landlords from making massive hikes as well.

“These new regulations that they’ve put into place, these new laws, doesn’t really help,” said Forbes.

“It may make them feel better, but it doesn’t really help because at the end of the day you do have to pay your rent or move and this is what’s happening. In a sense, it really is an eviction notice.”

No Rent Controls for Saskatchewan, Government Says

Posted on by
Reply

CBC News – March 5, 2013

The provincial government says it will not implement a system of rent control in Saskatchewan, when asked at the legislature about the plight of a group of tenants in Regina who received notices of steep rent hikes.

The residents of an apartment building on Robinson Street were given notices of rent hikes, to take effect in six months, that average around 77 per cent.

Opposition NDP members of the legislature raised the issue Tuesday.

“Will the minister do the right thing and institute rent control to stop gouging renters here in Saskatchewan?” David Forbes asked the province’s minister of justice.

However, the minister said rent controls can have negative consequences.

“We believe that it’s a disincentive to improving properties,” Gord Wyant said. “it’s a disincentive to the establishment and for the building of new rental accommodations and we’ve seen that across the province and we’ve seen that across the country.”

Wyant added that he believes most rent increases have been around three to four per cent.

Wyant offered to meet with the affected tenants personally and has also set up a meeting for them with the rentalsman’s office.

Pat Colpitts, a senior who has lived in the building on the 2200 block of Robinson Street for nine years, says the rent on her small two bedroom apartment is $675, but come Sept. 1 it will jump to $1,195.

“Totally shocked,” Colpitts said of the increase. “We knew there would be an increase because it’s new owners, but we weren’t expecting $520. Maybe $100, maybe $200. But that’s it for me. I’ll be moving out, there’s no ifs, ands or buts.”

CBC News contacted the Regina management company that has been taking care of the building and was told the owner is Castle Mountain Properties, based in Calgary.

According to the management company, the hikes affecting the Robinson Street property are the highest they have seen.

Kathy Berner, of Regency Property Management, said they look after about 800 suites in the city and in the past have only seen gradual increases in rents with the highest being around 10 to 15 per cent.

Berner said the biggest increases in Regina took place in 2007 and 2008.

CBC News placed calls to the Calgary owners of the building but had not heard back from anyone as of Tuesday afternoon.

According to Wyant, Castle Mountain Properties gave the proper six months notice for the increase.

Landlords who belong to the Saskatchewan Rental Housing Industry Association have to give six months notice of rent increases. Other landlords have to give 12 months notice.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2013/03/05/sk-rent-regina-controls-province-130305.html

NDP Leader Cam Broten shuffles NDP Caucus

Posted on by
Reply

Some NDP MLAs will have a new role today when the assembly resumes sitting with Cam Broten leading the official Opposition.

“I met individually with each of the MLAs on the team, and we are all excited about making today a new day for the NDP,” said Broten. “Shuffling shadow cabinet responsibilities is about matching each NDP MLA with the issues they have a passion for – the areas in which they think Saskatchewan can do better, especially when it comes to long-term sustainability and smart growth.”

Highlights of the changes include John Nilson’s appointment as health critic and Warren McCall taking on the post-secondary education file.

Broten has also created a new role, the critic for diversity, equality and human rights issues and asked David Forbes to take on the responsibility.

On Sunday, Broten announced that he had asked Trent Wotherspoon to be his deputy leader. Cathy Sproule will serve as the NDP’s house leader.

“I started the shuffle knowing that I never want to pass up an opportunity for the NDP team to grow or do better,” said Broten. “I think this shuffle hits the mark, and I’m very confident that the MLAs I’ve asked to take on new jobs will really deliver for the people of the province.”

Broten will handle critic duties for executive council, First Nations and Métis relations, intergovernmental affairs, and immigration.

OFFICIAL OPPOSITION CAUCUS RESPONSIBILITIES

Cam Broten: Leader; Critic for Executive Council, First Nations and Métis Relations, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Immigration.

Trent Wotherspoon: Deputy Leader; Critic for Finance, Economy, Trade, Global Transportation Hub, and Government Relations.

John Nilson: Deputy House Leader; Critic for Health, Seniors, Justice, Corrections and Policing, and Crown Investments Corporation.

Buckley Belanger: Deputy Whip; Critic for Highways and Infrastructure, Energy and Resources, and Saskatchewan Telecommunications.

Warren McCall: Chair of Public Accounts; Critic for Advanced Education, Central Services, Information Services Corporation, Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, and Provincial Capital Commission.

David Forbes: Caucus Chair; Critic for Education, Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, Workers’ Compensation Board, Housing, and Diversity, Equality and Human Rights issues.

Doyle Vermette: Whip; Critic for Northern Saskatchewan, Parks and Sport, Tourism Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Transportation Company; Deputy Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations.

Danielle Chartier: Deputy Caucus Chair; Critic for Early Learning and Childcare, Social Services, Community-Based Organizations, Arts and Culture, Status of Women, Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Public Service Commission, and the LEAN Initiative.

Cathy Sproule: House Leader; Critic for Environment, Agriculture, Saskatchewan Power Corporation, SaskEnergy Incorporated, Water Security Agency, Saskatchewan Water Corporation, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and Office of the Provincial Secretary.

New Sask. laws to help protect late-night workers in effect

Posted on by
Reply

The Canadian Press, Wednesday January 9th, 2013 2:38PM

REGINA – New safety measures for late-night retailers including gas stations and convenience stores took effect in Saskatchewan on Tuesday.

Employers are now required to conduct a workplace hazard assessment and must develop written procedures for handling cash that minimize the amount of money that is accessible to the employee.

Employers must use video cameras for key areas in the workplace, including the cash desk and the outdoor pumps, and must post signs indicating the worker has limited cash and valuables.

In addition, lone late-night employees must have a check-in system and wear a personal emergency transmitter.

The changes come after gas station attendant Jimmy Wiebe was killed in June 2011 while working alone at a business in Yorkton.

Aaron Nagy, a friend of Wiebe’s who petitioned for changes, was unsuccessful in trying to convince the government that businesses should have at least two people on during night shifts.

“Our concern was that we don’t want to put two workers in harm’s way or three workers in harm’s way,” said Ray Anthony, director of safety services for the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.

“There is nothing that prevents an employer from having two workers if they wish to but if they wish to have a lone worker working there, you can use the emergency transmitter and the check-in system.”

Sask. Party’s workplace law upsets balance

Posted on by
1

The Sask. Party’s new Employment Act will give employers the ability to pay workers with unregulated payroll cards and stop overtime pay in favor of banked time; changes among those the NDP fears will put workplaces in turmoil.

The bill, introduced today, also impacts unions by potentially excluding thousands of members from their existing bargaining units, creating unnecessary and inefficient layers of worker classes.

“Willfully attacking workplace balance is a clear case of the Sask. Party’s anti-worker ideology trumping common sense,” said David Forbes, NDP labour critic. “The Sask. Party has put worker recruitment, the economy and middle class households’ bank accounts in jeopardy.”

Also included in the Sask. Party’s changes is the end of the eight-hour work day, instead allowing employers to schedule 10-hour shifts. Forbes expressed concern that the change could impact vulnerable workers including single parents and low-wage employees who may work more than one job.

“Different arrangements, like 10-hour shifts, may work in some cases. That’s why permits for those arrangements are currently allowed. To open it up to all workplaces is to open a floodgate of potentially unworkable conditions for thousands of people,” said Forbes.

A new essential services law is one change that was expected after the Sask. Party’s version of the law was ruled unconstitutional by the courts. The new act leaves a gaping hole — a placeholder that doesn’t address the problems with the invalidated law.

“It’s been five years since the Sask. Party unveiled their faulty essential services law,” said Forbes. “There are a lot of unnecessary surprises being unleashed on workers today — it’s disappointing that the one law they actually needed to address hasn’t been taken care of.”

The Saskatchewan Employment Act combines 12 existing laws. Forbes and the NDP will comb through the bill to look for further surprises from the Sask. Party, but Forbes said the negative impact of the bill is obvious.

“In this case, the devil is not in the details. The attack on working people is right there in black and white,” said Forbes. “What kind of a government spends millions of dollars to attack its own taxpayers?”

NDP keeping gov’t on its toes – Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Posted on by
Reply

Murray Mandryk
Saskatoon Starphoenix December 1st, 2012

To suggest that the Opposition is winning the political war in Saskatchewan would be to overstate whatever small wins it has recently enjoyed.

The NDP still has to contend with a popular leader in Premier Brad Wall. And his massive 49-member caucus is still presiding over a robust economy, and the only balanced budget in Canada.

Moreover, the Saskatchewan Party remains much better at the political game, as evidenced by the party’s current TV ads that leave the impression that any one of the four contenders for the provincial NDP leadership simply would be a puppet to the Eastern Canadian and Quebec interests of federal party leader Thomas Mulcair.

It’s obvious the Saskatchewan Party has learned from its federal Conservative counterpart the importance of defining one’s political enemies before they get a chance to define themselves.

All this has contributed to what can best be described as a new political phenomenon in Canada: No longer do we talk about the Alberta Conservatives as the political untouchables in our country. Brad Wall’s Saskatchewan Party has inherited that title.

It is in this context that any discussion of the success of the leaderless NDP Opposition must begin. And it’s surprising how many small victories the NDP has enjoyed of late – little wins that have left the government scrambling, and sometimes off its agenda. Take Friday’s news of the rapidly growing HIV/AIDS problem in Saskatchewan, even though it seems wrong to categorize such a sad development in the trite context of political wins and losses. News on World AIDS day that updated 2011 figures show that HIV cases in Saskatchewan grew to 186 from 173 in 2010 came a day after Opposition MLA Cam Broten raised concern in the legislature with Health Minister Dustin Duncan about the lack of awareness of this issue in the province.

Granted, this is not an epidemic or an issue for which any individual government should be blamed, and it will not change votes. But the fact the health minister was scrambling in the chamber Thursday with two-year old statistical information was informative.

Not every issue has been a win for the NDP. Its handling of the growing public debt, and the privatization of the Information Services Corp. could have been better. But this small NDP caucus has often been at the forefront of developing issues, or has been able to set the political debate with issues of its own.

Another example is New Democrat Trent Wotherspoon’s questioning of the Kal Tire relocation, which is caught up in a squabble between the City of Regina and the Rural Municipality of Sherwood. The dispute forced Economy Minister Bill Boyd to zip out to Kal Tire headquarters in British Columbia to convince company owners not to relocate to Manitoba.

It also likely played a role in the introduction of legislation Wednesday to make the Global Transportation Hub (GTH) more like a port authority – both wise moves on the part of a government that seems to have put out a fire here. However, in his response to the GTH bill, Wotherspoon might have planted some seeds of concern about whether taxpayers are getting value for money for the more than $27 million they have invested in the project.

And maybe the best example of the NDP forcing the government to deal publicly with an issue was Broten’s questions regarding the federal Conservatives’ horrific refugee health-care policies.

Again, such issues are not great political wins. Nevertheless, having Opposition politicians who are capable of keeping ministers on their toes is always a good thing. Even more encouraging is that they have done this through reasoned argument rather than the bombastic grandstanding one might expect from leadership hopefuls.

But it hasn’t just been Broten and Wotherspoon doing the job. Credit labour critic David Forbes for his dogged pursuit on the asbestos registry, and safety for night-shift workers. Forbes has been equally effective in raising concerns whether Labour Minister Don Morgan’s labour law – to be finally introduced Tuesday – will serve any purpose other than to appease the Saskatchewan Party’s business donors.

It’s not likely that the NDP will win the labour war, on which the government seems to be taking the same unflinching stance it took on the film tax credit. Moreover, the Saskatchewan Party understands that voters are far more concerned about jobs, a strong economy and balanced budgets.

But give this small Opposition credit for holding the government’s feet to the fire.

In the Legislature – David’s statement on the success of Jimmy’s Law

Posted on by
Reply

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the minister for sharing a copy of the statement with me in advance and for the many conversations we’ve had over the past year leading up to today’s statement.

I do want to congratulate the government for their work in passing these regulations. The NDP is pleased that a year of advocacy for Jimmy’s law has led to an increase in safety regulations for late-night retail workers. And although they fall short of the measures we were proposing in our private member’s bill named Jimmy’s law, I believe it’s a positive step forward and will be a welcome improvement for workers and their families.

Following the introduction of my private member’s bill, I conducted a late-night tour of workplaces around the province and visited with workers on the night shift in eight different cities. What I heard is that they felt vulnerable and anxious. Everyone working a night shift is keenly aware of those tragic cases where an employee has become a victim. I want to as well acknowledge the pain faced by the families and friends of these victims. Survivors continue to live on with the memory of what has happened, and the healing is difficult.

One of these victims was Jimmy Wiebe, the namesake for our private member’s bill. Jimmy deserved better protection. All workers deserve better protection, therefore steps to increase security and workplace safety are needed and welcome. And as I said, the new regulations are a good first step, but enforcement of the new regulations will be critical. According to a hazard alert released by the ministry’s own occupational health and safety division in May, non-compliance with the existing lower safety requirements was only 80 per cent. Making sure that business owners and workers are aware of and following the rules is an important part, ongoing part of governing.

I too want to thank several people who helped contribute to the success of our campaign to bring safer working conditions to late-night workers. And they include in our own caucus staff, in helping produce the petition, the bill, our researcher Rod Scansen; the SFL [Saskatchewan Federation of Labour], Lori Johb, Heath Smith and Larry Hubich, amongst others; Darren Kaytor, a survivor of two late night robberies this past spring in Saskatoon who came out with us on our tour and was very eloquent; and of course Aaron Nagy who really was the driving force behind this all. And I too want to acknowledge the Wiebe family for their support.

Mr. Speaker, as I conclude, I want to acknowledge the human face of workplace safety and in particular the clerks who work in vulnerable at-risk situations such as late-night retail. It is so

personal because almost all of us know someone who works a late shift. These people are often young, perhaps their first job. Sometimes they are retirees just trying to make ends meet or students working in order to afford a higher education. These are people with dreams, and they are people with families and friends who have connections to our community. They are people who deserve to be safe in their workplace.

Mr. Speaker, I’ve read into the record over the course of the past year names of clerks and others across Canada who’ve died violently in their workplace, not to mention the untold number of near misses of dangerous occurrences. Now on a personal note, I want to, I’d like to thank the minister for his thoughtful words, as our own family has experienced first-hand last month the harsh reality of a late-night robbery. Fortunately our daughter wasn’t harmed, and for that we are thankful.

I am confident, Mr. Speaker, that today our actions are an important first step in making our province a safer place to work. That is our job as legislators, and I am encouraged by the progress on our journey. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Jimmy’s Law Finally Lands in Regulations

Posted on by
Reply

The NDP is pleased that a year of advocacy for Jimmy’s Law has led to an increase in safety regulations for late-night retail workers.

New ministry of labour regulations released today include increased safety requirements to protect workers on the graveyard shift.
Although they fall short of measures proposed by the NDP labour critic David Forbes in his Jimmy’s Law bill, Forbes said that the positive step forward will be a welcome change for workers and their families.

“Working the night shift at a gas station or convenience store comes with increased risk. When I visited workers on the night shift, what I heard is that they felt anxious. They know about those sad cases where an employee has become a victim,” said Forbes. “New Democrats feel strongly that victims like Jimmy Wiebe deserved better protection, and all steps to increase security and workplace safety are welcome.”

Enforcement of the new regulations will be critical. According to a Hazard Alert released by the ministry’s occupational health and safety division in May, non-compliance with the existing, lower safety requirements was 80 per cent.

“Making sure that business owners and workers are aware of and following the rules is an important, ongoing part of governing,” said Forbes.

Wiebe, the namesake of Jimmy’s Law, was shot and killed in a robbery while working the graveyard shift at a gas station in Yorkton in June 2011.

NDP releases labour consultation report

Posted on by
Reply

Overhauling workplace and employment laws is a risky move to fix what isn’t broken, according to a report by NDP labour critic David Forbes.

After consulting with more than 700 people face-to-face on the Sask. Party government’s plan to rewrite employment laws, Forbes released his findings Thursday. The report details common themes that were raised by workers, employers and community members who attended the public Your Work, Your Say forums.

“Common themes emerged from both workers and employers,” said Forbes. “What I heard is that workplaces in Saskatchewan have fairly balanced relationships between employees and employers and that has been a contributing factor to Saskatchewan’s strong economy. Throwing off that balance with a reckless overhaul could have chilling effects on people and on our economy.”

The report also relays concerns from working parents. Many said changes to employment standards could hurt their work-family balance while others said changes to overtime regulations would mean a blow to their household income.

“We heard that workers and employers believe details matter in the Sask. Party’s new legislation,” said Forbes. “They felt like some items raised by the government’s discussion paper were just fear-mongering – like asking if public holidays or vacation days should be rolled back – and they don’t want that to distract from the important rights that they value and that have built our good economy and strong jobs market. Things like overtime regulations or the right to form a union without government or employer interference really matter in people`s daily lives.

“A library employee told us she feels like the Sask. Party is asking her which of her rights she’s willing to give up. She and others feel like any changes should be to improve working conditions in Saskatchewan, not roll back the clock.”

One area that participants said could use improvement is workplace safety. In 2010, Saskatchewan had the second-worst number of reported workplace injuries in the country and 44 workplace deaths compared to 16 in Manitoba.

Seven topics are covered by the report, including:
•    the importance of public consultation;
•    ensuring a balanced working environment;
•    the dangers of losing strong workplace legislation;
•    positive changes that will work for working people;
•    taking care of the most vulnerable workers;
•    improving unions and collective bargaining rights and
•    strengthening the economy through workplace safety and training.

In July, Forbes submitted a preliminary report to the Sask. Party’s meagre labour review process which he called a “down payment” on the NDP’s participation. The Your Work, Your Say tour and its resultant report were made necessary by the Sask. Party’s flawed and incomplete consultation process, which was allotted less time than its reviews of minor football or cattle branding systems.

Read the NDP’s Your Work, Your Say report.

Minimum wage victory a good first step

Posted on by
Reply

The NDP’s calls for a reasonable minimum wage have been heard. Now NDP labour critic David Forbes is calling on the Sask. Party government to commit to a higher standard for Saskatchewan’s workers.

“The increase to minimum wage comes better late than never,” said Forbes. “The NDP toured the province asking people about working conditions for themselves and their employees and we heard that the minimum wage has to be competitive and fair. Now we’re looking for the Sask. Party to listen to Saskatchewan people and the NDP and show a commitment to an always-fair minimum wage.”

The NDP has proposed an indexed minimum wage that would change annually, equivalent to the change in the all-items Consumer Price Index (CPI).

“The NDP’s indexing solution takes politics out of minimum wage increases,” said Forbes. “It’s about common sense and fairness; if the cost of food, housing and transportation rises by two per cent, it makes sense that minimum wage should, too.”

Forbes said that those earning minimum wage typically are least able to absorb cost increases in monthly necessities. Tying the minimum wage to CPI would also be predictable and fair for employers.

“We’ll count this as a small victory for Saskatchewan people, but the NDP is not done advocating for improvement,” said Forbes. “We can do better to provide stability to workers and businesses, and to make working in Saskatchewan the most attractive option for Canadians.”