Public sector workers provide first reaction of 2020 budget

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) — It didn’t take long for reaction to trickle in right at the source of the 2020 budget announcement.

As the doors opened at the Alberta Legislature, releasing those who were in lockup all day, protestors made their way to the front steps of the building.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1233162626625966086?s=20

Many of the protestors carrying signs opposing cuts to the public sector.

For education, while the budget promises increases to all K-12 school jurisdictions, there is what appears to be a cut.

Hundreds of public sector workers, many teachers, protesting UCP cuts to the public sector. View from the federal building. #ableg #abpoli #yeg pic.twitter.com/BtKHt0FXla

— Rachelle Elsiufi (@Rachelleelsiufi) February 27, 2020

Funding for school jurisdiction operations is actually going down this year compared to the earlier, but the province is saying this does not amount to a cut because school boards can make up the difference in their own reserves.

More than a thousand people gathered at the legislature now. There are health care and education workers protesting. #abpoli #ableg #yeg pic.twitter.com/QCNtwL1l7Q

— Sarolta Saskiw (@SaroltaSaskiw) February 27, 2020

For the health sector, the UCP is committing to maintain or increase funding, however, that still remains up in the air, with many changes to deal with.

This reaction is just one of many expected throughout the day on Thursday.