Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

Statement from NDP Labour Critic Carla Beck and NDP Jobs and Economy Critic Aleana Young

Regina - “It is heartbreaking to hear about layoffs at the Co-op Refinery today.  These workers have already been through an extremely tough year after having been unfairly locked out of their jobs for months during a pandemic.  

Workers fought hard to protect their rights and their pensions and now they're out of a job. Another 87 people laid off and 87 more families facing the reality of unemployment. It’s a disaster. 

Mass layoffs and job losses in our energy sector like this are devastating for families and devastating to our local economy. After a very tough year so many people are struggling. More local layoffs spells trouble for our city and our province.

Scott Moe and the Sask. Party can’t keep pretending that everything is fine. We need a real jobs plan to help people who are out of work and a plan to protect our local economy. Scott Moe needs to show some leadership and help laid off workers instead of crossing his fingers and hoping things get better.”

Sask. Party government denies coverage for Sask. family’s fight against rare disease

REGINA – Today, Official Opposition Critic for Health Vicki Mowat joined Craig and Kirsten Finn and the Isaac Foundation’s Executive Director Andrew McFadyen to call on Premier Scott Moe to provide coverage for 4-year-old Conner Finn’s out-of-province care that limited the progression of his potentially fatal, debilitating rare disease. 

“Any family in Saskatchewan would have taken the advice of experts and done what the Finns did for their son Conner. This family did everything in their power to save their son’s life. This government has been offered ample opportunities to get this right. They need to listen to the recommendation of the Health Services Review Committee that sided with the family,” said Mowat. “How on earth could you deny life-saving coverage, three times, for a rare disease that could not be treated here in Canada?”

Meili calls on Sask. Party government to “Save our Summer” after $1 billion loss to tourism sector

REGINA – With Tourism Week being celebrated in Saskatchewan, New Democratic Party Leader Ryan Meili called on the Sask. Party government to adopt the “Save our Summer” plan proposed by the NDP to help the struggling tourism industry recover from the $1 billion loss in 2020. Jobs in the visitor economy have fallen by almost 30% with about 20,000 fewer people working in jobs that support the tourism industry since 2019.

Saskatchewan NDP calls for “Last Mile” Strategy for Vaccine Rollout

SASKATOON - NDP Leader Ryan Meili and Health Critic Vicki Mowat called on the Sask. Party government to adopt a “Last Mile” strategy to ensure that every eligible Saskatchewan resident has access to their first and second doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and to address vaccine hesitancy and accessibility.

“Saskatchewan people have been stepping up and getting their shots, but we know there is work to do to ensure herd immunity so that we can enjoy a summer and fall with all that it has to offer in our province,” said Meili. “We need to make sure that effort is successful by getting as many people vaccinated as is possible so we can put this pandemic behind us.”

School Divisions sound the alarm on cuts to the classroom in another Sask. Party broken promise

REGINA - As school divisions prepare to submit their budgets to the provincial government by June 30th, the impact of the Sask. Party’s cuts to the classroom are becoming more evident. Saskatoon Public School Division has gone public with concerns about what programs and services are on the chopping block as they work to eliminate the division’s projected deficit of $8 million. By law, school divisions must present a balanced budget to the provincial government.

“Premier Scott Moe told people across the province during the last election campaign that there would be no cuts, but now we see the truth: this is a government that has chosen to cut supports to the classroom during a pandemic,” said Carla Beck, Education Critic for the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party.

Statement by Leader of the Official Opposition Ryan Meili on the Prince Albert Wildfire

The Statement reads as follows:

"Prince Albert has declared a state of emergency. Sending our thoughts to all those impacted by the wildfire in the Prince Albert area. Reminding people to stay safe, aware, and updated on the situation. Mayor Greg Dionne and the City of Prince Albert have done a phenomenal job of keeping the public up to date through their official channels and I would encourage everyone to follow along.