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2015 Prentice blames Albertans. Unions launch campaign aimed at unmasking the real culprits: the Tories themselves

Better Way Alberta campaign offers Albertans solutions to government’s budget woes

Edmonton – A coalition of major public-sector unions is launching a $500,000 province-wide campaign aimed at saving public services from deep cuts, and encouraging the provincial government to address its budget woes by fixing the province’s broken revenue system.

The Better Way Alberta campaign, which presents evidence that the government’s budget woes are caused by systemic problems in taxes and royalties, will be launched at an event today at the United Nurses of Alberta offices (Sixth Floor, 11150 Jasper Avenue), featuring the presidents of the Alberta Federation of Labour, United Nurses of Alberta, the Health Sciences Association of Alberta and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (Alberta Division).

“Premier Jim Prentice has said that Alberta’s budget is sinking, but if that’s true, it’s because his party has spent decades blowing holes in the revenue system that’s supposed to pay for the services on which Albertans rely,” Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan said. “Instead of dealing with the problem, the premier has proposed a reckless nine-per-cent budget cut across the board. That will cause pain to everyday Albertans, put people out of work, and possibly deepen the economic turmoil the province is facing. There is a Better Way.”

What: Better Way Alberta press conference and launch

When: 1 p.m. March 5 (TODAY)

Where: United Nurses of Alberta offices, 6th Floor, 11150 Jasper Ave. Edmonton

Who: Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan

United Nurses of Alberta president Heather Smith

Health Sciences Association of Alberta president Elisabeth Ballermann

Canadian Union of Public Employees (Alberta Division) president Marle Roberts

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.218.4351 (cell) or via e-mail orokne@afl.org