Justice Finds in Favour of CUPE

[Aug 13, 2009 07:39 PM]

REGINA-The Canadian Union of Public Employees - Saskatchewan (CUPE Saskatchewan) has just learned that the 2007 public accusations of Saskatchewan Party MLAs Don McMorris and Nancy Heppner have been found by the province to be baseless.

"We're pleased to, finally, put to bed the idea that citizens should be fearful of participating in the democratic process," said Tom Graham, president of CUPE Saskatchewan.

In October, 2007, McMorris publicly accused CUPE Saskatchewan of trying to "scare and intimidate seniors," with information regarding the policies and track record of the Saskatchewan Party. The information was sent prior to the 2007 General Election exclusively to CUPE members, quoting the Saskatchewan Party MLAs on issues like the privatization of Crown corporations.

In early November, then-candidate Nancy Heppner told the media that CUPE's communication with CUPE members constituted a contravention of the Elections Act. CUPE discovered that the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer had been prompted to investigate in order for charges to be laid against CUPE Saskatchewan's leadership.

Acting Chief Electoral Officer David Wilkie informed Graham by letter this week that such a prosecution will not go forward, citing the Elections Act, 1996, which fully allows citizens and special interest groups to freely discuss policies which could affect themselves of their organization.

"Our union is charged with protecting our members from risks to their jobs-like public sector job losses through privatization or changes to labour legislation," said Graham. "We absolutely should be distributing information about a government's position or a candidate's position on issues like these. To suggest otherwise, as Minister McMorris and Ms. Heppner have done, is fear-mongering and bullying."

Graham went on to note that the decision of the Chief Electoral Officer is a victory for democracy, as well as an indication that all types of groups should feel welcome to participate in political discourse without fear of retribution from their government.

"Although," Graham added, "I was never really concerned about going to jail over this. From the beginning it was obvious that this was a scare tactic to prevent unions from talking about which candidates were better for working people. It was a baseless accusation which didn't have a legal leg to stand on."

CUPE is the largest union in the province, representing 29,000 public sector workers in schools, health care facilities, universities, community-based organizations, municipalities and other public workplaces.