The Saskatchewan NDP is also demanding that the Sask. Party immediately adopt the recommendation to establish a Child Death Review Committee — this was one of the recommendations made in 2018 by Clive Weighill in his report, “A Review of the Office of the Chief Coroner,” that has yet to be implemented by the Sask. Party. Other provinces have formal Child Death Review Committees. Carla Beck’s team been calling for this recommendation to be adopted for years.
“These were innocent babies and toddlers, who were denied the chance to have the life they deserved,” said Nicole Sarauer, Shadow Minister of Justice & Community Safety.
“The Government has an obligation to do whatever is necessary to keep children safe. Scott Moe, Tim McLeod and Terry Jenson failed these children — now they must act to ensure we learn the lessons from their failures and ensure it never happens again.
“This recommendation that Carla Beck’s team has been demanding be implemented for years could have saved these children’s lives. A decade of stalling by this government has put this province’s most vulnerable babies at risk. They deserved better.”
Beck’s team is also demanding Justice Minister Tim McLeod request the Coroners Office conduct an inquest under section 21 of the Coroner’s Act which reads:
“The minister may direct the Chief Coroner or any other coroner to hold an inquest into the death of a person, and the chief coroner or other coroner shall hold the inquest whether or not another coroner has conducted an investigation, held an inquest or done any other act in connection with the death.”
“If Scott Moe refuses to act, it is clear that we need a Coroners inquest to make critical recommendations that can be adopted to ensure everything possible is being done to prevent a future tragedy,” said April ChiefCalf, Shadow Minister of Housing.
“Scott Moe, and Terry Jenson have had this report for nearly a week and they have done nothing — this is unacceptable when over a dozen babies died after being exposed to fentanyl, methamphetamines or cocaine. The people of Saskatchewan have had enough of this government’s empty sympathies that include no concrete action.”
Beck's team is also calling for Minister Terry Jenson to appear at the inquest to provide evidence on what steps are being taken by the Ministry of Social Services to prevent future tragedies like these from happening again.
“I hope that Scott Moe can show the sympathy and humanity to direct his Minister to not only order this inquest, but also appear to answer questions about how this unfathomable tragedy occurred,” said Hugh Gordon, Associate Shadow Minister for Community Safety.
"This is just one of the concrete steps the Sask. Party can do to ensure that there is both transparency and accountability when infants and youth in the care of the government tragically lose their lives.”
ChiefCalf added: “The status quo is not only not working, but it is actually failing the most vulnerable in this province.
“If Scott Moe is actually saddened by the death of these children, and actually wants to ensure it never happens again, he will ensure that this inquest happens as soon as possible.
“It is time to act. It’s time for change.”
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Scott Moe Continues To Downplay Cost-Of-Living Crisis As Saskatchewan People Report Highest Financial Anxiety In Canada
REGINA – As the Spring Session comes to an end, Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are refusing to pass more than 20 bills from Carla Beck’s team that would make life more affordable, bring needed changes to healthcare and so much more.
Sask. NDP Join Childcare Operators and Municipal Leaders Calling For Immediate Pause And Review As Funding Shortfalls Threaten Closures
REGINA — Carla Beck’s team alongside municipal leaders and childcare operators is calling on the Sask. Party government to go back to the drawing board on their failing childcare funding model which they say puts hundreds of critical childcare spaces at risk – particularly in rural communities already struggling with limited access.
Saskatchewan People Can’t Afford $26 Billion Disaster That Will Drown Them In Debt And Double Rate Hikes
REGINA — Carla Beck is calling on Scott Moe to fire his out of control SaskPower Minister, toss the catastrophic, $26-billion coal plan in the trash and go back to the drawing board.
Taxpayers Deserve To Know Whose Making Money Delivering Healthcare In Crumbling System
REGINA - As the Scott Moe government increasingly funnels record amounts of public money into for-profit healthcare, Carla Beck’s team is introducing legislation to ensure taxpayers aren’t being ripped off.