SASKATOON – The Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations, Betty Nippi-Albright, called on the Sask. Party government today to strengthen its flawed consultation framework which is hurting both businesses and First Nations and Métis communities. Recent tensions between the Birch Narrows Dene Nation and a Toronto based uranium mining company have highlighted Saskatchewan’s insufficient consultation framework with respect to impacted First Nations communities.
Children’s Advocate report shows lack of oversight putting vulnerable kids at risk
REGINA - A report released today by Saskatchewan’s Advocate for Children and Youth makes it clear that the Sask. Party’s doesn’t care about keeping vulnerable kids safe.
“Our kids deserve the best care possible, but we are seeing a real lack of oversight under the Sask. Party,” said NDP Social Services Critic Meara Conway. “Minister Carr needs to answer for why her government has not made meaningful interventions to reduce the rate of kids in care while the group home model is on the rise. The Advocate has made it clear that the Ministry of Social Services doesn’t adequately resource or oversee these homes.”
Sask. Party must answer for COVID-19 failures: Meili
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili and Deputy Leader Nicole Sarauer called on the Sask. Party government to call a special meeting of the Human Services Committee of the Legislature. The committee is urgently needed to examine the Sask Party’s dismal pandemic response and a vaccine plan that has left families frustrated and confused.
“The Premier has repeatedly stood by his comments that there is ‘nothing he would change’ in his pandemic response, but the fact is that Saskatchewan families have paid the price for this government’s failures,” said Meili. “Instead of leading the country into recovery, we have led the country in cases and death rates. It’s unacceptable, and demands accountability.”
Beck: Rapid tests must be deployed immediately to stop workplace outbreaks
REGINA – Today Carla Beck, Official Opposition Critic for Labour, called on the Premier and the Sask Party government to immediately deploy rapid COVID-19 testing kits to employees of Prairie Pride Natural Foods Inc. Confirmed cases at the plant have doubled since the outbreak was declared on February 19 but wide-scale testing of plant employees has still not been implemented.
Open the Books: Wotherspoon calls on government to release third quarter report
REGINA - Today Official Opposition Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon called on the Sask. Party government to release the third quarter financial report for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
“The Sask. Party’s decision to delay the budget and hide their plans from Saskatchewan people is bad enough,” said Wotherspoon. “But there’s absolutely no reason why they should be hiding last year’s finances two months after the end of the third quarter - especially since all the large Crown corporations have released their reports.”
Meili calls on Sask. Party government to ensure North Battleford Lighthouse stays open
On the news that the North Battleford Lighthouse emergency shelter is set to close due to lack of funding, Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili issued the following statement:
“Saskatchewan is in the midst of two public health crises. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the overdose crisis that is taking a brutal toll in lives across our province.
This government has been completely absent when it comes to the most vulnerable and has ignored the needs of communities like the Battlefords.
It is unacceptable that the Sask. Party government would allow the crucial work the North Battleford Lighthouse does in service of the most vulnerable to be shut down due to lack of funding.
I am calling on Premier Scott Moe to act now and ensure proper funding is put in place to keep the North Battleford Lighthouse open.”