Heading into the Fall session, the NDP will be focused on calling the Sask. Party to task for their mismanagement, cuts, clawbacks, and waste which have directly impacted and hurt the livelihoods and well-being of so many Saskatchewan people.
“For the last several months, we have seen endless missteps by the Premier and the Sask. Party, and it’s Saskatchewan familes, students, patients, workers, and the most vulnerable who being forced to pay the price,” said NDP Leader Trent Wotherspoon. “The people of Saskatchewan can be sure that our team will be taking their concerns to the floor of the Legislature, and will be pushing to see that the right changes are being made.”
Wotherspoon outlined many of the heartless cuts made to programs that people throughout the province depend on. He noted that the most vulnerable have been thrown out in the cold with cuts to services and programs like the Lighthouse Stabilization Unit, the Saskatchewan Assured Income Disability (SAID) program and mental health services.
He also noted heartless and illconceived slashing of funding to the Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) and the Northern Teacher Education Program (NORPAC), even though the government’s own studies show that in the last five years, 94 per cent of graduates of these programs went on to find jobs.
“Why would the Sask. Party cut programs that are helping people get jobs at a time when nearly 10,000 more people in Saskatchewan are looking for work than a year ago?” said Wotherspoon. “More and more we're seeing a Premier and a government that just doesn't get the realities that many people in Saskatchewan are facing. After years of fiscal mismanagement during boom years, this government is cutting and slashing important programs that people not only depend on, but drive the Saskatchewan economy forward.”
Wotherspoon added that the NDP will also continue to push on issues such as education, health care, and the environment and fight against the privatization of SaskTel – a desperate sell-off the Sask. Party promised during the election that they would not make.
Wotherspoon also spoke about the Saskatchewan NDP’s plans to continue to push the Sask. Party on transparency and openness in light of on going revelations in Global Transportation Hub land scandal and to continue their call for the elimination of allowing oil companies to police themselves when it comes to pipeline inspections.
“This summer has been one that was full of Twitter tantrums and chest thumping by the Premier, but now is the time for answers – answers the people of Saskatchewan deserve – answers to everything from why did the Premier leave the door open for the Federal government to impose carbon pricing scheme on Saskatchewan by doing nothing to mitigate greenhouse gases to why is the Sask. Party hiding the true state of Saskatchewan's finances,” Wotherspoon said.
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.