Earlier this month, it was revealed that thousands more Saskatchewan people have been thrown out of work. Today, Statistics Canada released the latest economic indicators which, once again, show links between this rise in unemployment and the Sask. Party’s mismanagement as well as their PST hike on everything from kids’ clothes, and food and drinks to home insurance and the construction industry.
“It’s certainly concerning when we hear that 7,800 more people are unable to find work than a year ago,” said NDP Jobs Critic Vicki Mowat. “What we are seeing more and more is that job-creating industries in Saskatchewan have been hit hard by the Sask. Party’s PST hike. It’s causing job losses and explains why we are seeing more people moving to other provinces to find better opportunities than ten years ago.”
While it has been growing in our neighbouring provinces, new housing construction in Saskatchewan has been declining. Statistics Canada shows that investments in new housing construction in Alberta is up 14.7 per cent compared to this time last year. It’s up 14.8 per cent in B.C. and 18.1 per cent in Manitoba. In stark contrast, in Saskatchewan, investment in new housing is down 7.6 per cent.
Food services and drinking places in Saskatchewan also took another hit, as January sales were down almost three per cent since last year.
“The Sask. Party has made it harder for Saskatchewan businesses to succeed and Saskatchewan people to find and keep jobs,” Mowat said. “Instead of creating more debt and forcing Saskatchewan people to pay for it, the Sask. Party should be investing in the economy and supporting businesses that create jobs.”
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.