Today, NDP Leader Ryan Meili said the Sask. Party had failed their homework assignment and called on them to provide a real plan before schools reopen in September. Education Minister Gord Wyant has repeatedly placed the responsibility for a safe reopening of schools on school divisions that have long been underfunded by the province.
“Parents, teachers and kids are worried, and they are looking for a plan that gives them the confidence they need to return to school,” said Meili. “Instead, they got the worst plan in Canada from this Sask. Party government and a minister trying to pass the buck to school divisions that were already struggling with tough budget decisions. This government needs to take responsibility and come up with a real plan, instead one that’s failing the test and passing the buck.”
In an interview with CBC this morning, Education Minister Gord Wyant repeatedly passed the buck to school divisions, saying they had put together their own “unique operational plans.”
In the last few months, some school divisions have had to dip into their reserves to make up for budget shortfalls and deficits prior to new costs related to the re-opening.
“This government has been underfunding schools for years and COVID-19 has made clear exactly how that underfunding puts our kids at risk,” Meili said. “We know what’s needed: faster COVID-19 testing, smaller classes, dedicated funding for school divisions and clarity on things like phasing and masks. We need a real plan for a safe return to schools, and we need it now.”
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.