Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

NDP Statement: Time for Action on Climate Change and Good Jobs

In response to the IPCC report, NDP Environment Critic Erika Ritchie released the following statement:

“Today’s report by the United Nations climate panel is disturbing. Saskatchewan families want to do what’s right for the environment and for our economic future. 

Unfortunately, the Sask. Party has failed to come up with a credible climate change plan. This has left Saskatchewan people and our economy exposed. The continuing wildfires and distressing drought experienced in our province prove that we need a real plan, something this Sask. Party government has refused to provide.

The provincial government’s latest report on climate progress included no new measures related to mitigation through emissions reductions – which is unchanged since the original document was published in 2016. While adaptation is important, it is the Sask. Party’s only focus, and they have no plans to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our province. In fact, despite promises to reduce emissions, they have continued to increase.

StatsCan report shows Sask. Party’s COVID-19 jobs recovery worst in the nation

REGINA - Today’s StatsCan data reveals that under Premier Scott Moe, Saskatchewan has experienced the worst jobs record in the country since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Scott Moe has given Saskatchewan families the worst of both worlds: Rising COVID case numbers, the lowest vaccination rate amongst the provinces and the worst jobs performance in the country,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “The Premier has failed in his response to COVID-19 - including at Extendicare Parkside - and he has failed working families with the biggest drop in jobs in Canada. Both these failures lie directly at the Premier’s feet.”

Statement from Trent Wotherspoon, NDP Agriculture Critic, on the need for emergency supports and measures for producers and ranchers devastated by drought

"The measure announced yesterday by the provincial government simply doesn’t cut it.

Producer, farm and livestock organizations, such as the Saskatchewan Stock Growers and Saskatchewan Cattleman’s Association, have all been calling for emergency measures and support.

APAS, SARM and nearly a dozen other producer groups wrote to the premier yesterday to call for immediate action, including an increase to AgriStability compensation rates and extending enrolment, a call that the Opposition and producers have been making for many months. 

In face of the extraordinary challenges producers and ranchers are facing with this year’s drought, it’s long past time the provincial and federal governments step up with relief and measures that rise to the occasion.

Many producers and ranchers are facing extraordinary hardship due to drought. 

In face of this crisis they deserve support, not a government that sits on the sidelines."

Ombudsman’s Report confirms: Scott Moe’s Status Quo failed families at Extendicare Parkside

REGINA - Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili and Critic for Seniors Matt Love - standing outside Extendicare Parkside in Regina - called on Premier Scott Moe to accept all findings of the Ombudsman's investigation report: Caring in Crisis: An investigation into the response to the COVID-19 outbreak at Extendicare Parkside. Further, Meili and Love called on the Premier, former Health Minister Jim Reiter and current Health Minister Paul Merriman to apologize to those who lost loved ones at Extendicare Parkside.

“Both the government and ECI share the blame for the outbreak that took so many lives. This for-profit relationship has failed our seniors, their families and the hard-working staff at Extendicare Parkside,” said Love. “But the Ombudsman also makes it clear that the problems in long-term care go far beyond this one horrific outbreak when she calls on the government to  ‘make meaningful and lasting systemic and structural improvements to Saskatchewan’s long-term care system.’ The Saskatchewan NDP believes that should include the end to for-profit care in Saskatchewan.”

Crown corporation rebrand must be scrapped, costs revealed: Meili & Wotherspoon

REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili and Critic for SaskTel Trent Wotherspoon called on the Sask. Party to immediately scrap their Crown corporation rebrand vanity project and release the full costs associated with the project to date. 

“When it comes to our Crowns, the Sask. Party just can’t be trusted,” said Meili. “The documents released so far show that discussions were much farther along than the Sask. Party is willing to admit. The Sask. Party needs to come clean with the details of this vanity project, including the total amount wasted so far.”

NDP LEADER RYAN MEILI ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF OF STAFF

SASKATOON - Today Ryan Meili announced that Katherine Norton would be taking on the permanent position of Chief of Staff to the Saskatchewan NDP Caucus. Norton is moving into the role from Issues Management and Research in the Caucus Office. 

“I’m delighted and excited to be welcoming Katherine as Chief of Staff. Her skills, determination and long service to the party and the caucus are the perfect fit to help us build and grow toward the next provincial election,” said Meili. “The people of Saskatchewan will be served well by Katherine’s passion and dedication as we continue to hold the Sask Party Government to account.” 

The position has been filled on an interim basis by Sally Housser since the last provincial election “I’d like to thank Sally for her work and leadership over the past months particularly through the challenges presented by Covid-19,” said Meili. 

Norton will officially assume the role on August 16th.