Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister says the provincial NDP ‘took the bait’ regarding Alberta’s announcement to potentially pull out of the Cananda Pension Plan.

Donna Harpauer thinks the federal government is using Alberta’s announcement as a distraction to divert the attention away from their unfair carbon tax abatement.

“The federal government needed something to change the dial, to change the attention, and you know who took the bait? You know who took the bait? Those members opposite took the bait immediately,” Harpauer accused. “What is more pressing and urgent to affordability today, Mr. Speaker, is the carbon tax on heating fuel.”

Opposition Leader Carla Beck responded by saying unity is the strength of the CPP, and if Alberta pulls out, it means higher premiums and lower pension payments. She urged the finance minister to encourage Alberta to reconsider.

Harpauer says although the CPP issue is important, it will not matter any more when the winter months approach, whereas the carbon tax will.

Several Community Based Organization workers were sitting in the gallery during Question Period. NDP Deputy House Leader Meara Conway says they provide critical supports for the province, but their jobs are made difficult by chronic underfunding.

Minister of Social Services Gene Makowsky stated that the government spends about $400 million annually in the CBO sector, and that number has increased by 16 percent over the last five years. He then stated that CBO workers are not government employees. Conway found great issue with that statement.

‘Mr. Speaker, I’m sorry, but these organizations provide critical care that is squarely within this minister’s mandate, and to hear him try to suggest he is not responsible for paying them a decent wage is a bit much,” she announced.

Conway then listed examples of underfunding she has seen in the CBO sector, including group home staff going to the food bank to feed their residents, black mold growing in group homes, and homes having a staff turnover rate of 67 per cent.