SASKATCHEWAN — The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is calling on provincial leaders to declare a workplace health and safety emergency in Saskatchewan as workers across the province face rising levels of violence, harassment and psychological harm on the job.
CUPE, Canada’s largest public sector union representing about 800,000 workers nationwide, says its 2026 “Year of Health and Safety” campaign is centred on urgent action to protect workers who deliver essential services every day.
“Our members are increasingly experiencing violence and harassment while trying to deliver essential services to Saskatchewan residents,” said CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson. “Chronic underfunding, short staffing, and limited access to training and supports have created conditions that put both workers and the public at risk.”
CUPE Saskatchewan has launched a public petition urging the Legislative Assembly to formally recognize a workplace safety crisis and work directly with workers and their unions on solutions. The union says the health and safety emergency declaration would underscore the seriousness of the situation and pave the way for practical measures to make workplaces safer.
“Declaring a health and safety emergency would recognize the seriousness of this crisis and allow government, workers and unions to work together on real solutions. Every worker deserves to feel safe when they go to work,” Peterson added.
What workers are facing
Across sectors including health care, education, libraries, social services, municipal work and public facilities, CUPE members report growing threats of violence and harassment on the job. These can range from verbal abuse, threatening behaviour and intimidation to physical assaults and persistent stress that leads to psychological injury.
Union leaders say the issue is not limited to isolated incidents but represents a broader pattern tied to systemic issues including understaffing, high workloads, inadequate training and a lack of clear prevention strategies.
CUPE argues that current workplace safety laws, which require employers to develop violence prevention policies, are not enough on their own. Without enforcement, adequate training and dedicated resources, written plans remain words on paper rather than tools that truly protect workers.
The push for mental health protections
CUPE’s campaign highlights that health and safety goes beyond preventing physical injury. Psychological harm — including stress, anxiety, burnout and trauma — is a major concern for workers facing repeated exposure to hostile or unsafe environments.
Psychological injuries can have long‑term consequences, from worsened mental health and loss of income to decreased quality of life and reduced ability to work. CUPE says any true health and safety strategy must include mental health support, counseling access and workplace cultures that reduce stigma and promote early intervention.
A broader national and provincial context
CUPE has a long history of advocating for worker rights, including fair wages, benefits, safer workplaces and workplace equity. At a time when public safety, staffing shortages and service demands are all intensifying, the union says the need for a strong provincial response has never been clearer.
Across Canada, health care and social service workers in particular have reported rising violence and burnout, a trend that has drawn attention from labour groups and policymakers alike. CUPE’s Saskatchewan push adds urgency to conversations about how governments and employers safeguard those who work on the front lines.
Concrete steps being proposed
As part of its Year of Health and Safety initiative, CUPE is calling for:
• stronger enforcement of workplace violence and harassment laws
• mandatory and ongoing training for workers and supervisors
• improved staffing levels and workload standards
• expanded mental health supports and trauma response resources
• meaningful partnership with unions in developing policy and prevention strategies
CUPE Saskatchewan has also announced plans for a Health and Safety Conference later this spring aimed at bringing workers together to share best practices, discuss strategies and build capacity on workplace safety issues.
Why this matters
Workplace violence and psychological harm have far‑reaching effects not only on individual workers but on families, communities and the services that residents depend on every day. When workers are unsafe, services suffer, turnover increases and communities pay the price.
“Our front‑line workers are the backbone of our communities,” Peterson said. “Ensuring they can do their work in safety and dignity benefits every one of us.”
By declaring 2026 the Year of Health and Safety and pushing for an emergency declaration, CUPE hopes to spark meaningful action that protects workers now and builds stronger, safer workplaces for years to come.
