Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

Sask. Party blocks attempts to get answers on $16 million loss from public purse

On Wednesday morning the Sask. Party government shut down a motion that would have compelled the manager of two government investment funds to explain a $16.4 million combined loss.

At this morning's meeting of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies, Sask. Party government members voted down a motion from NDP Central Services Critic Cathy Sproule to question Grant Kook about the losses racked up by the First Nations and Metis Fund (FNMF) and Saskatchewan Immigrant Investor Fund (SIIF), both of which were bankrolled with public money.

“How did the Sask. Party let it get this bad?”: NDP calls for action as issues mount at Pioneer Village

Mold in wards and staff layoffs at the Pioneer Village senior complex in Regina are two of the latest issues brought on by inaction by the Sask. Party, leaving the NDP calling for answers.

“People are being let down by the Sask. Party government – whether it’s the staff at Pioneer Village or the patients and their families,” said NDP Deputy Leader Nicole Sarauer. “It’s frustrating that it’s gotten to this point and we still haven’t seen a plan from the government to invest in long-term care here in Regina.”

“A smaller loophole isn't good enough”: NDP Ethics & Democracy Critic David Forbes says rule change insufficient

NDP Ethics and Democracy Critic David Forbes slammed the Sask. Party government for failing to close a loophole in the lobbyist act in legislation they tabled today.

“A smaller loophole isn't good enough,” said Forbes. “Under the new threshold, a lobbyist could meet a Minister for coffee every single week for more than six months without anybody knowing. 

NDP, advocate call for expanded insulin pump coverage for all patients with Type 1 diabetes

Today NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat was joined by Paul Kuspira, who has Type 1 diabetes and is an insulin pump user, to call on the government to provide coverage for everyone with Type 1 diabetes who uses a pump in the province.

“Diabetes is a growing problem in Saskatchewan and right now, the provincial government is letting people like Paul down by not providing coverage for pumps for those over 25,” Mowat said. “There is no reason for the government to not follow in the steps of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and the territories who already provide coverage.”

NDP and advocate call for restored obstetrics care for the northeast

As more and more families from northeast Saskatchewan are left with no choice but to travel to Saskatoon and Prince Albert for obstetrics services after the shutdown at the Flin Flon General Hospital, local residents impacted by long stays away from their community are calling on the government to act. Today, NDP leader Ryan Meili and Health Critic Vicki Mowat were joined by Kirsten Fritsch, a member of the We Want Birth Committee, to call on the government to stop letting down the people of Flin Flon and area.

“How is it fair or right for the Sask. Party to expect pregnant women to travel hours away from their home to give birth?” Meili said. “As more families are forced to travel to our major centres for basic services, it puts more strain on an already overburdened healthcare system. The Sask. Party’s unwillingness to work with the Manitoba government to find a solution here is letting more and more people down.”

Reality Check: Did Scott Moe break his promise to hire 400 more educational assistants?

Yes.