In response to the Sask. Party’s failure to present a viable back-to-school plan, NDP Education Critic Carla Beck called on the Sask. Party government and Education Minister Gord Wyant to reconvene the Human Services Committee to fix the return to school plan released by the province last week.
“I’m hearing from teachers and families who are confused and frustrated about this government’s complete failure to present a viable plan for the safe return to school,” said Beck. “People want a clear path forward, but the Premier, the SHA and the Ministry of Education can’t even agree who’s driving. That’s why we’re calling on the Sask. Party to convene the committee, to make the return to school as safe as possible.”
Beck noted that two weeks ago, prior to last week’s disastrous plan launched by Wyant, the NDP outlined seven steps to ensure a safe return to school, including dedicated funding from the province to increase staffing and reduce class sizes during a pandemic.
“The fact that the government is now considering changing course on masks this late in the game is just one more indication of how little planning this Education Minister has done,” said Beck. “Masks can help make classrooms safer, but there is so much more that needs to be done.”
Beck added that the government is doing everything they can to download responsibility to school divisions, who are doing their best but need clear government direction and funding on crucial issues that impact school safety.
“The bare minimum Saskatchewan people should expect is for the government to accept public scrutiny of their plans,” said Beck. “This is an all-hands-on-deck moment, which is why we’re calling on this committee to meet next week at the latest to hear expert testimony on how to fix this failed plan.”
Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.