REGINA — With Alberta announcing new restrictions yesterday, the same day that Manitoba announced that the majority of its restrictions would be extended into January, New Democrats’ Critic for Economy and Jobs Aleana Young called on the provincial government to level with businesses and workers and provide real support for those who are struggling.
“The Sask. Party government’s mixed messages have been muddled and ineffective for workers and for businesses – especially the small businesses that are the heartbeat of our province,” said Young. “Scott Moe has offered us the worst of both worlds: the government has told businesses to stay open while their customers are urged to stay home.”
Young noted that the Sask. Party’s Small Business Emergency Payment Program relaunch repeats the same mistakes that blunted its effectiveness when it was first introduced in the spring. It still requires small businesses to be shut down or “substantially curtailed” by public health orders to receive support, and offers no support for those businesses not subject to public health orders but still facing sharply reduced revenues due to public health advice provided to the public.
Young summarized the Official Opposition’s calls for targeted measures to support businesses and working people:
“If we had brought in a circuit breaker when it was called for by doctors, nurses and the Official Opposition, restrictions could be being eased by now,” said Young. “Instead, we now have the second-highest per-capita caseload in the country. Businesses and workers need to have certainty that they will be supported, whatever happens in the coming weeks and months.”
Young also reiterated the NDP’s call for immediate action from the province to support the roughly 500 workers at Evraz in Regina who have lost their jobs right before Christmas. “This is a massive loss of good-paying jobs in an industry that is a pillar of our province,” said Young. “Businesses and workers all need support. The government’s ‘Rapid Response Team’ is not enough – these workers need real support, and they need it now.”
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.