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SGEU proposes province curtails consultants not public service workers

Saskatchewan's Provincial Auditor finds extensive use of consultants in government. SGEU urges province to curtail their use.

Regina (22 Dec. 2014) — The Saskatchewan government should rethink the cost and efficiency of its use of private consultants instead of imposing a hiring freeze on public service jobs, according to the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE).

Auditor finds extensive use of consultants

The Provincial Auditor found that $120 million was spent on private consultants last year, a 228 per cent increase over six years. And, in a review of Ministry of Central Services, the Provincial Auditor suggested that an extensive use of consultants is not an efficient use of public funds.

Public services most cost-effective and transparent way to deliver services

“Government should be curtailing its use of outside consultants, not limiting jobs of workers who deliver services to Saskatchewan people,” according to SGEU President Bob Bymoen.  “There is little transparency when private contractors are hired to perform public sector work.  Without adequate oversight, consulting costs can skyrocket, and there are few guarantees of the quality of the service delivered.”

Public sector hiring freeze likely to lead to more consultants hired

A proposal to institute a hiring freeze on public sector positions that government deems ‘non-essential’ will likely lead to even more private consultants being hired.

“The work still needs to be done, so government will outsource to consultants and private contractors, costing Saskatchewan people more in the long run.  Using temporary employees from outside, often out-of-province companies, means fewer stable jobs that help keep Saskatchewan families and communities strong,” Bymoen added.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE