LIBRARY WORKERS SCARED, UNSAFE AFTER 20 YEARS OF SASK. PARTY MISMANGEMENT

Frontline Library Workers Left To Deal With Homelessness, Addictions, Crime
SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan NDP is standing with CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson to call on Scott Moe’s government to implement an emergency plan to support library workers who have been left to deal with the drug addiction and homelessness crises.

The call comes at a time when libraries across the province continue to double as shelters and addictions treatment facilities because the Sask. Party government is missing in action on these key issues.

“Library workers are not first responders, and they should not be left to do the job of the provincial government,” said Vicki Mowat, Saskatchewan NDP Deputy Leader.

“We need more support for library workers to ensure they can do their jobs efficiently and are safe at work. We also need to be tackling homelessness, addictions and crime, and the root causes of these issues.”

“Scott Moe’s Sask. Party government has failed to address the homelessness, mental health, and addictions crises that are unfolding in communities across Saskatchewan,” said Kent Peterson, President of CUPE Saskatchewan.

“Public libraries and our members are being left to shoulder the consequences without the resources, staffing, or supports they need. We want to see meaningful investment into community services and public libraries in the upcoming budget.”

Frontline library workers in Saskatoon have called for support and action from the Sask. Party government for over a year, and the homelessness and the toxic drug crisis continue to spiral out of control. New estimates put Saskatoon’s homeless population at roughly the size of Watrous, with youth under the age of 24 making up approximately 20 per cent.

The City of Saskatoon was recently forced to hike property taxes to address the “provincial downloading” of key responsibilities such homelessness and mental health and addictions.

“After 20 years of the Sask. Party, people no longer feel safe in their own libraries and that goes double for those who work in them,” added Mowat.

“Clearly, it's time for change.”

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