REGINA - Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili sounded the alarm today on news of the arrival of the highly transmissible P.1 variant of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan. The new variant was first identified in Brazil.
“The Premier failed to contain the second and now third waves of COVID-19 when he had the chance, and it is the people of Saskatchewan who are paying the price,” said Meili. “With ICU admissions at a record high and the growing case-load in Saskatoon concerning doctors and public health officials, this new variant poses a potential risk to overwhelm our health-care system.”
Meili noted that Dr. Shahab and other public health officials have raised concerns about the potential severity of the P.1 variant, its potential to reinfect people who have already contracted COVID-19 and how effective current vaccines are in combating this strain.
“Vaccines are absolutely crucial to beating COVID-19, but they are not the only measure we need, especially with vaccine supply in question,” said Meili. “The Premier owes the people of Saskatchewan a full accounting of how the province plans to address a potential new spike in variant cases, including releasing all modelling and advice from the SHA experts.”
In February, New Democrats raised the alarm about variants and called for a clear plan for a 3rd wave, including wide-spread rapid testing in schools, long-term care facilities, and high-risk communities and workplaces.
-30-
Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.