REGINA - With Saskatchewan Government Insurance’s (SGI) reserves now sitting at $1.1 billion dollars according to the Saskatchewan Auto Fund 2021 Annual Report, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili and Critic for SGI Aleana Young called on the Sask. Party government to return excess earnings to Saskatchewan people through lower rates.
“Even with the rebate called for by the NDP being delivered to Saskatchewan families, SGI still has a significant surplus of funds beyond what’s needed to ensure rate stability,” said Meili. “It’s not right for the Sask. Party to be holding on to excess funds - that’s not what public auto insurance is supposed to be about. That money is supposed to go back to Saskatchewan families through lower rates.”
SGI has applied to the Rate Review Panel to apply for a “revenue neutral” rate stabilization adjustment, with about half of the population set to see rate decreases and the other half set to see increases. This is the first time SGI has applied for a rate adjustment since 2014 when there was $218 million in the Rate Stabilization Reserve fund. That has grown to $1.1 billion in 2021.
“Saskatchewan families, especially those set to see rate increases, are entitled to ask why the Sask. Party government is holding on to more rate-payer money than they need,” said Young. “They resisted our call for an SGI rebate and called it a ‘vote-buying scheme’. When it comes to our Crowns, you can’t trust Scott Moe.”
Young also noted that the Rate Panel Review hearings are currently being held online only. “These proceedings should be public and in person. We need to maximize transparency and accountability in this process. We’re talking about money that belongs to Saskatchewan families - not the Sask. Party government.”
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.
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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.