Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

Building permits take another hit from PST on construction

The Saskatchewan NDP is continuing its push to scrap the Sask. Party’s tax hike on construction labour after yet another Statistics Canada report shows that the value of building permits is falling.

“The PST expansion was a punch in the gut for our province’s construction industry,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “Moody’s Analytics has already forecast declines in home values for each of the next two years. We’ve also seen investment in residential and non-residential construction decrease. It’s clear this harmful policy is hobbling an important driver of our economy.”

NDP brings health check-up to PA and North Battleford

NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat and Mental Health and Addictions Critic Danielle Chartier will be spending time in Prince Albert and North Battleford this week to gather insight and feedback on the challenges facing the health sector and what an NDP government could do to address them.

“We know how badly Prince Albert needs a second hospital, and we also know from North Battleford’s experience how important it is to build that hospital right, keeping it public and hiring Saskatchewan people and Saskatchewan companies to build it,” Mowat said. “We’re looking forward to hearing from people about the challenges they see in healthcare and what we can be doing to build a brighter and healthier future for everyone.”

NDP calls on Ministry of Energy to get their audits in order

The Provincial Auditor’s recent report highlighted many concerning findings, but one of significant concern is a backlog of audits on non-renewable potash and uranium royalty and tax returns. The Ministry of Energy and Resources is up to five years behind on its potash audits and four years behind on uranium audits. As of December 2018, the ministry hasn’t completed audits on 85 producer returns from before 2016.

“It’s deeply concerning that the government has let this backlog pile up,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “It’s important these audits are completed on time to ensure that we’re getting a fair return for our resources. We’re losing out on collecting precious dollars that could be used to fund other projects that would create good jobs, like addressing our infrastructure deficit and transitioning to clean energy.”

NDP calls for action in response to health failures highlighted in auditor’s report

The Provincial Auditor’s 2019 Report, released today, highlights significant problems in the Sask. Party government’s handling of its largest portfolio, health. The NDP Opposition is calling on the government to provide Saskatchewan people the assurance they need that our public healthcare system is a priority.

Specifically, the report points to significant issues with the awarding of millions of dollars of public contracts to vendors funding travel junkets for eHealth employees responsible for awarding contracts, a growing health infrastructure deficit, and gaps in monitoring the prescribing and dispensing of opioids.

NDP seeking feedback on state of education in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan NDP Education Critic Carla Beck is looking to hear from teachers, educational assistants, staff, parents, administrators, and anyone else who cares about the future of the province’s education system. Today, Beck announced the launch of the Brighter Future education survey, seeking the input, ideas and experiences of Saskatchewan people regarding the state of our classrooms.

“We know that our classrooms are increasingly complex and under-resourced, and that’s taking a toll on staff, students and parents all across the province,” said Beck. “We want to hear from people what they’re experiencing and what Saskatchewan should be doing to build a brighter future for all of us.”

‘Sign of desperation’: NDP calls on government to finally concede that only a judicial inquiry will clear the air on the GTH

Ballooning debt, sketchy land deals, and a massive severance package being paid out to a fired CEO all underscore the degree to which the Global Transportation Hub has become a millstone around the Sask. Party’s neck, according to the Saskatchewan NDP, who believe only a judicial inquiry will clear the air.

“The Sask. Party has really dropped the ball on the GTH,” said NDP GTH Critic Cathy Sproule. “Millions of public dollars have been wasted in the process. We know why the government wants to move away from this fiasco as quickly and quietly as possible, but for the sake of transparency we need to shine a light on what happened.”