Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

NDP uncovers Sask. Party’s secret Crown sell-off committee

A newly released report from the Information and Privacy Commissioner shows that the Sask. Party’s plans to sell off SaskTel were much more developed than previously known. Documents released by the Saskatchewan NDP show that cabinet created a secret sell-off committee of cabinet to explore ways to sell off up to 50% of the Crowns. 

The NDP is calling for the release of all documents the Commissioner recommended be released, and all the documents prepared by the private companies the Sask. Party was looking to sell SaskTel off to. Wotherspoon condemned the Sask. Party for sharing SaskTel’s commercial information with its competitors and exposing SaskTel to potential harm. 

Changes needed to make government accountable: NDP

Today, the NDP called on the Sask. Party government to strengthen legislation to prevent conflicts of interest and backroom deals, after Conflict of Interest Commissioner Ronald Barclay’s 2019 annual report noted that the government has yet to implement any recommendations from his previous report.

“The people of Saskatchewan deserve a government they can trust, and that means an open and transparent government,” said NDP Ethics and Democracy Critic David Forbes. “People are rightly concerned about the effect that the Sask. Party’s wealthy donors and insiders have on their government.”

Meili calls for investment in Saskatchewan’s energy city

NDP Leader Ryan Meili is in Estevan today to discuss the region’s future with local leaders.

“Estevan has always been an energy city. With the best solar exposure in the country and great opportunities for wind and geothermal, the future can and should be bright for this community as we modernize our energy system,” Meili said. “But that takes leadership, and the Sask. Party government isn’t providing any direction or clarity about the future.”

Reality check: “Hold my wine”? Moe’s Sask. Party trumps Ford’s Conservatives when it comes to sketchy political donations

Ontario Premier Doug Ford may be catching heat for promoting a winery on his propaganda network after accepting $2,050 in donations from its president, but Saskatchewan is still the ‘wild west’ when it comes to campaign finance laws.

Thanks to outdated laws that the Sask. Party has refused to change, Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada that still allows big money to dominate its elected government and its decisions. Corporations, unions, organizations and individuals, including those from out of province, are allowed to donate unlimited amounts to Saskatchewan political parties and candidates. And the Sask. Party takes full advantage of the legislative vacuum, raking in millions from many of the same people and businesses that in turn enjoy lucrative government contracts and Crown board appointments. 

Families desperate for help, NDP calls for suicide strategy

According to the latest figures from the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service, there were 209 suicides in 2018, an increase of 16 per cent over the previous year. That represents a 69 per cent increase over the number of suicides in the province that took place in 2005, with more than 2,100 lives lost to suicide since then. 

In recognition of the growing crisis, the NDP Mental Health and Addictions Critic and Critic for Northern Saskatchewan joined mental health advocate Marilyn Irwin in Saskatoon today to call on the Saskatchewan government to implement a province-wide suicide prevention strategy.

“Step aside for the sake of your constituents”: Meili calls for Sask. Party MLAs to resign ahead of Aug. 6 loophole

The NDP is calling for federal Conservative candidates Corey Tochor and Warren Steinley to resign their jobs as Sask. Party MLAs before August 6 to ensure that by-elections are held in those constituencies. Because of a loophole in the Legislative Assembly Act, if the two MLAs wait to resign until the writ is dropped in September, Premier Moe would not have to call by-elections in the two seats, leaving the constituents of Regina Walsh Acres and Saskatoon Eastview without an MLA for nearly 14 months. 

“These two federal candidates have spent the summer knocking doors for Andrew Scheer while cashing cheques from the people of Saskatchewan,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “They should have done the right thing and stepped aside months ago, but they still have a chance — as long as they do it this week.