The Sask. Party has fought tooth and nail to ensure information about the GTH is kept from Saskatchewan people. They have been asked by the Information and Privacy Commissioner to release public documents that they claim would shed unfavourable light or bring “negative media attention” to this dubious project. However, the Commissioner’s request has been dismissed and the minister responsible for the GTH isn’t in a hurry to press this issue.
“If the Commissioner had the power to order documents be released, this would not be an issue,” said NDP Justice Critic Nicole Sarauer. “The Information and Privacy Commissioner should have the final say when it comes to the release of public documents. Commissioners in other provinces have this power. Why not Saskatchewan?”
Several provinces, including Alberta and B.C., allow their information commissioners to order the government to produce records. The Sask. Party member for Meadow Lake even recommended this when he was running to become premier. He said he would “reverse the onus in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to require disclosure on the recommendation of the Commissioner.”
“After the campaign bluster has died down, we’ve heard nothing more about this from the Sask. Party,” said Sarauer. “The minister responsible should make this a top priority. The people of Saskatchewan deserve to know the whole story when millions of their dollars are being wasted.”
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.