County council sends protest message

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Wheatland County administration has been left empty handed in what to do with their Canada Summer Jobs positions, as council has voted against signing the federal government package.
Council refused to accept funds on grounds of the document’s wording. They will also be sending a letter to the federal government as to why the council refused the approval of funding.
“I honestly believe that words have meaning. There is a reason for them to do this … there is a step made on any decision. No matter how innocuous or horrible it is, there is always a step and direction that did not seem as bad at the time,” said Councillor Tom Ikert. “This is a protest vote and that is all it is.”
The federal government is making funding contingent on employers confirming their core mandates respect individuals’ freedom of rights in respect to Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Some people feel the document goes against their rights, beliefs and freedoms, and misuses government powers. Some of the disagreement centres on religious beliefs, procreation and abortion rights, sexual orientation beliefs and matters of discrimination. A court injunction to stop the required attestation was filed by other protest groups, but it was rejected on the basis that it did not fit the parameters for court injunctions. On March 19, a forced vote was called in federal parliament to ensure government-funding mechanisms would not be contingent on adhering to political stance or ideologies, but the vote was defeated by majority vote.
The Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, Paddy Hadju, said the move generated a storm of criticism on the wording and meaning of the term “core mandate.” The document will be reworded for 2019. She indicated that the requirement was implemented because some applicants were lying about how their organizations would use the funding, or were actively working against some groups’ rights and freedoms. One example she gave was the printing of aborted fetus posters. She said the intent was to protect students from having to engage in employment that goes against the Charter.
“I do not ever believe that we have hired a summer student for employment to directly oppose the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I don’t believe we have to put in writing. My feeling is we bite the bullet and take the money out of our own pocket,” said Ikert.
“I had a lot of reservations about that, so I did some research,” said Councillor Amber Link. “It is nothing about Wheatland County’s beliefs, not anything about councillor’s personal beliefs or administration.”
She said she acknowledged declining the money on a philosophical basis, but felt the intent of the document was not about a stance or morals.
Wheatland administration has advertised for students available for employment. Departments have allotted planning for three positions in respect to accommodating student employment for the summer. The value of the grant is $13,000. Alan Parkin, Wheatland County chief administrative officer, said student employment support would probably be brought back to council for a decision regarding the county funding the positions in lieu of turning down the federal grant.
The Minister stated there are 400,000 applications for the money each year. Whether turning down the grant for protest reasons would affect future awards was not discussed by council or indicated by the Minister.