Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

‘We are run ragged’: NDP education survey highlights crisis in Sask. classrooms

NDP Leader Ryan Meili, along with Education critic Carla Beck, shared the findings of the Saskatchewan NDP’s “Brighter Future” education survey this morning while addressing the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association Convention. The results paint a clear picture of a deepening crisis in Saskatchewan classrooms, with staff morale and learning conditions for students suffering, and kids facing more complex classrooms with fewer supports.

“As a parent myself, it’s hard to see the sacrifices teachers in this province are making as the Sask. Party’s cuts to education filter down,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “Our kids’ classrooms are increasingly crowded and the government continues to let teachers and kids down.”

Latest infrastructure fumble shows Sask. Party is not working for Saskatchewan communities: NDP

The NDP Opposition is calling on the Sask. Party government to address the safety concerns of the Fond du Lac Dene Nation and the FSIN, after the latest case of the provincial government letting partisan calculations get in the way of needed infrastructure funding. 

“This airport is the only access point for many Northern communities and the fact that needed improvements still haven’t been made is ridiculous,” said Highways and Infrastructure Critic Buckley Belanger. “Instead of stepping up and supporting these communities, the Sask. Party is yet again pointing fingers at other levels of government while a priority infrastructure project languishes.”

NDP call on Sask. Party to put people, and public pools, before politics

The Saskatchewan NDP is calling on the provincial government to end its bizarre stand-off over the funding of two Regina pools, and get to work on behalf of the people of the Queen City instead of using them to score cheap political points.

“These pools are the heart of their neighborhoods, and are cherished by Reginans,” said NDP Municipal Relations Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “The fact the Premier and his Sask. Party government are playing cheap political games over recreational spaces for our kids is incredibly petty and unprofessional.”

NDP uncovers Sask. Party’s secret Crown sell-off committee

A newly released report from the Information and Privacy Commissioner shows that the Sask. Party’s plans to sell off SaskTel were much more developed than previously known. Documents released by the Saskatchewan NDP show that cabinet created a secret sell-off committee of cabinet to explore ways to sell off up to 50% of the Crowns. 

The NDP is calling for the release of all documents the Commissioner recommended be released, and all the documents prepared by the private companies the Sask. Party was looking to sell SaskTel off to. Wotherspoon condemned the Sask. Party for sharing SaskTel’s commercial information with its competitors and exposing SaskTel to potential harm. 

Changes needed to make government accountable: NDP

Today, the NDP called on the Sask. Party government to strengthen legislation to prevent conflicts of interest and backroom deals, after Conflict of Interest Commissioner Ronald Barclay’s 2019 annual report noted that the government has yet to implement any recommendations from his previous report.

“The people of Saskatchewan deserve a government they can trust, and that means an open and transparent government,” said NDP Ethics and Democracy Critic David Forbes. “People are rightly concerned about the effect that the Sask. Party’s wealthy donors and insiders have on their government.”

Meili calls for investment in Saskatchewan’s energy city

NDP Leader Ryan Meili is in Estevan today to discuss the region’s future with local leaders.

“Estevan has always been an energy city. With the best solar exposure in the country and great opportunities for wind and geothermal, the future can and should be bright for this community as we modernize our energy system,” Meili said. “But that takes leadership, and the Sask. Party government isn’t providing any direction or clarity about the future.”