The official opposition is criticizing the government for the decrease of disabled public service employees. Since 2013-2014, 92 fewer persons with disabilities are employed in the provincial public service positions, a 27 percent drop.

NDP Critic David Forbes says having disabled persons offer a great deal to public service careers, “They are professional people and they, I think, bring, an important perspective to the public sector.”

Forbes says the NDP is concerned that disabled persons are taking a disproportionate hit in terms of austerity. He notes that those with disabilities want to work and many would have gone to school, they would have trained, they are professionals and to lose over 90 positions is shocking.

Premier Scott Moe says the aggressive targets for employment of disabled workers in government hasn’t been reached. The target, 12.4 per cent, is the one established by the Human Rights Commission and is the target for all Ministries and Government. (CKRM)