Despite Brad Wall's attempts to blame the federal government, it is the Sask. Party who cut per student funding in growing school divisions and have left Saskatchewan students with less support.
“The Premier knows full well that the underfunding in Saskatchewan classrooms started with his cuts," said NDP Education Critic Carla Beck. "The strain on teachers and educational assistants and the diminishing support for Saskatchewan students were very real, before our province generously welcomed Syrian refugees."
At the beginning of the school year, the Regina Public School Board alone had 485 unfunded students. Between September and January, the division had an influx of 751. Out of those new students, 108 were welcomed from Syria after the world saw the extent of the tragedy and crisis there.
Last year, the Sask. Party cut the mid-year funding adjustment which is meant to help deal with increases in student enrolment.
In Saskatoon area schools alone, there are 1160 unfunded students, which is equal to roughly 50 classrooms of students or 5 small schools.
“We are talking about school boards having to take on thousands of new students while the government refuses to provide funding to support them," said Beck. “The Premier needs to quit playing the blame game, accept responsibility, reverse his own cuts and ensure that every student in Saskatchewan has the opportunity to receive the quality education they deserve."
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.