LA RONGE – Today, Official NDP Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat and Official NDP Opposition Critic for Northern Affairs Doyle Vermette, sounded the alarm on the current crisis in Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation and demanded that the government immediately deploy resources to help the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority.
Sask NDP joins the Calling Lakes EcoMuseum in renewed calls for Wetland Policy and stronger protections for Saskatchewan’s lakes and rivers
LUMSDEN – Today Erika Ritchie, Official Opposition Critic for Environment, and the Water Security Agency, and Official Opposition Deputy Leader Nicole Sarauer joined with Aura Lee, Chair of the Calling Lakes EcoMuseum (CLEM), to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to address the current state of water quality in the province and to implement a provincial Wetland Policy.
Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada that currently does not have a wetlands policy, despite Saskatchewan having the greatest area of watersheds with no natural outlets in Canada.
“We’re seeing the result of this government’s neglect, with algae blooms now beginning earlier in the season, lasting longer, and resulting in toxin levels above recreational advisory levels. That means families can’t go out and enjoy all that this beautiful province has to offer,” said Ritchie. “Municipalities have been asking the Sask. Party and this government for some leadership on this front, but this Minister continues to sit on his hands. There are real people, real families being affected by this.”
NDP calls for real investment to reverse Sask. Party’s legacy of failure on rural connectivity
REGINA - NDP Critic for SaskTel Trent Wotherspoon called on the provincial government to stand up for rural communities and allow SaskTel to invest properly in rural connectivity.
“Rural residents deserve so much better from this Sask. Party government, a government that’s taken them for granted for too long,” said Wotherspoon. “We hear a lot from families who want to know why this government won’t make rural connectivity a priority. In the 21st century, connectivity isn’t a luxury; it’s an essential service.”
STATEMENT ON THE DISCOVERY OF UNMARKED GRAVES AT RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SITE AT COWESSESS FIRST NATION
STATEMENT BY NDP LEADER RYAN MEILI AND BETTY NIPPI-ALBRIGHT, CRITIC FOR FIRST NATIONS AND MÉTIS RELATIONS & TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION, ON THE DISCOVERY OF UNMARKED GRAVES AT RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SITE AT COWESSESS FIRST NATION
REGINA - Like so many people in Saskatchewan and across the country we heard the news of the horrific discovery of unmarked graves at Cowessess First Nation with sadness and anger. Unfortunately we cannot say that this discovery is a surprise but it remains deeply, deeply shocking.
This will not be the only grim discovery in this province and as we grapple with the truth of these deaths. We cannot let ourselves become desensitized.
We cannot look away. We have to face these horrors head on and take real, meaningful and swift action on Truth and Reconciliation. Thoughts and prayers are simply not enough.
Meili: This is the absolute worst time to be cutting education funding for our kids
SASKATOON – Today, Leader of the NDP Official Opposition Ryan Meili lambasted Premier Scott Moe and the Sask. Party government for breaking their campaign promise and cutting funding to our children’s classrooms. School boards across Saskatchewan find themselves with budget shortfalls and are being forced to cut due to this government’s economic mismanagement.
NDP Statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, NDP Leader Ryan Meili and Betty Nippi-Albright, Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations & Truth and Reconciliation, issued the following statement:
“This year more than ever, there is an urgency to address the history of the residential school system. The discovery of the bodies of 215 children at a former residential school in British Columbia, and the knowledge that there are many more undiscovered right here in Saskatchewan, means we must turn our grief into action.
While we wish to celebrate, it is difficult with so many people and communities being re-traumatized. Our province has seen first-hand the legacy of the residential schools: increased health problems, higher levels of poverty, over-representation of Indigenous children in foster care and unacceptably high incarceration rates for Indigenous people. Taking the time to recognize this dark period of our history is a key step to remembering our past, fixing the problems that exist today and ensuring a better future for everyone.
We must stand together to eliminate racism and to close the gaps in health, employment, justice and education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.”