Saskatchewan has one of the worst records in the country when it comes to domestic violence and violence against women but, instead of taking real action and committing predictable and sustainable government funding to support victims and bring an end to these tragedies, the Sask. Party is providing only the funds raised at their black-tie fundraiser Sunday night.
“Raising much-needed money for a shelter like SOFIA House is obviously a good thing and all those who dip into their pockets and give what they can, should feel good about helping such an important cause,” said NDP Justice, Policing and Corrections Critic Nicole Sarauer. “But, it comes across as much less genuine from the Sask. Party who, for nearly a decade, have chosen to withhold the government funding and support needed to make a more significant difference for these shelters as well the women and children who rely on them. This is especially true as we see the Sask. Party making deeper cuts to funding for some of Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable.”
The fundraiser which, this year, benefits SOFIA House, is not a sustainable solution to the persistent cases of violence against women throughout the province. Meanwhile, the government’s poverty reduction strategy said it would tackle domestic violence “when the province’s fiscal capacity allows.” It took until just recently for the government to start assembling a panel to review domestic violence cases in the province, however, the panel won’t provide any recommendations until the fall of 2017.
“It’s long past time for the government to step up and help those who are in dire situations right now,” Sarauer said. “By hosting this fundraiser, the Sask. Party is clearly acknowledging government funding is not sufficient and yet, at the same time, they somehow refuse to admit that they are the cause of – and could be the solution to – the problem.”
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.