Alberta heads for another jobs crisis - and this time it will be
self-inflicted

Deep public-sector spending cuts will kill tens of thousands of private-sector jobs, along with public ones

EDMONTON , Jan. 22 /CNW/ - The Stelmach government will stifle Alberta's fragile recovery and create its own made-in-Alberta recession if it proceeds with deep cuts to public spending, warns a new report to be released Monday, January 25, 2010 .

The report, entitled "Worse than the Recession?" has been prepared by the Alberta Federation of Labour as part of the Join Together Alberta campaign. The report will show that tens of thousands of jobs could disappear as a result of proposals by the Alberta government to slash spending.

"While other governments around the globe are proceeding with stimulus packages to soften the effects of the recession, the Alberta government has made it clear that it is considering spending cuts reminiscent of the Klein era," says AFL president Gil McGowan.

"Economists and politicians of all stripes have reported that stimulus spending is working. It has saved existing jobs and will create new jobs. However, it appears that the Alberta government hasn't read the memo."

The report will be released Monday, January 25th , at two media availabilities - one in Edmonton and one in Calgary . A group of workers and students who may be affected by the cuts will be on hand, along with McGowan, to answer questions from the media.

    
    Edmonton    Time: 9:30 a.m.   Location: steps of the Alberta Legislature
                                            (10800 - 97 Avenue)

    Calgary:    Time: 2:00 p.m.   Location: steps of the McDougall Centre
                                            (455 - 6 Avenue SW)
    

For further information: Gil McGowan, AFL president @ [phone] (cell)