NDP calls for “Circuit Breaker” of non-essential services to protect businesses and healthcare system

REGINA — New Democratic Party Leader Ryan Meili announced today that as a result of Premier Scott Moe’s ineffective actions to address the second wave of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, the NDP is calling for a three-week “circuit breaker” to keep our health care system from being overwhelmed and ensure that businesses and communities don’t face further hardship with longer shut downs.

“Scott Moe ran the election on the premise that the battle against COVID-19 had already been won. Since the election, his government has been too slow to react to the rapidly rising case numbers. The half-measures taken so far have been confusing and ineffective. ” said Meili. “If we want to protect our economy and our businesses, we need to get control of the pandemic. The choice is not between our health care or our economy - it is between a targeted action now or a much more severe lockdown later.”

Case numbers have increased rapidly in the past weeks while the Sask. Party government has moved from stating no new measures would be introduced, to introducing half-measures at the end of last week, to new measures announced yesterday along with a series of reviews that may lead to a lockdown. This is simply not enough. More action is needed.

As part of the circuit breaker that New Democrats are calling for, the following measures should be taken in addition to those which have already been announced:

Close non-essential businesses and allow retail stores to maintain delivery and curbside service
Limit essential businesses to 25% capacity
Allow bars and restaurants to operate with take-out and delivery only
Close sports, fitness and recreation facilities
Close bingo halls and casinos
Keep schools open at Level 3 throughout the province, with support to reduce class sizes
Bring back the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment Program and fix it to make it more accessible
Provide gap supports - similar to what is offered in Manitoba - for businesses that are not eligible for federal supports
Provide small business innovation grants for business owners that wish to upgrade to online retailing, delivery platforms and virtual service delivery
Bring back the moratorium on residential evictions and stop the clawbacks on housing and income assistance
Supports for businesses to keep their employees on the payroll and emergency supports for workers who still find themselves temporarily out of work

“Scott Moe’s lack of timely and decisive action has put the province at risk of an out-of-control second wave that will overwhelm the health system, cost lives and shutter businesses for good,” said Meili. “We need a consistent, coordinated and properly funded approach that will protect our health care system and our economy. It’s time for a real plan that puts people first.”

Latest posts

KEVIN WEEDMARK REFUNDS TAXPAYERS FOR JOURNALISM GRANT HIS PAPER RECEIVED

KEVIN WEEDMARK REFUNDS TAXPAYERS FOR JOURNALISM GRANT HIS PAPER RECEIVED The Moosomin-Montmartre MLA Continues Hiding From Media As Questions Grow

REGINA – Today, more questions about embattled MLA Kevin Weedmark have been raised following the release of an article from Grasslands News about his privately owned and operated newspaper, The World Spectator.

BRIGHTON RESIDENTS LEFT IN THE DARK: CARLA BECK'S TEAM CALLS OUT MLA KEN CHEVELDAYOFF OVER PHANTOM SCHOOLS

SASKATOON— Carla Beck's team, joined by local Brighton resident Dr. Sarah Chomicki, is calling on Scott Moe to fulfill his government's broken promises and immediately get to work on a neighborhood school for the rapidly growing community of Brighton.

NEW DATA SHOWS THAT SASKATCHEWAN HAS THE HIGHEST CHILD FOOD BANK USAGE IN CANADA

Beck Commits To School Nutrition Program, Doing All She Can To End Child Poverty
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is sounding the alarms on new data showing more children in Saskatchewan are forced to rely on the food bank than anywhere else in Canada.

CARLA BECK GOVERNMENT WOULD RESTORE DIRECT-TO-LANDLORD RENT PAYMENTS AS MOOSE JAW FACES RISING HOMELESSNESS

More Affordable Housing, Rent Control Also Part Of Plan Being Developed By Beck’s Team
MOOSE JAW – Carla Beck’s team is in Moose Jaw today committing that, should they form the next provincial government, her team will restore direct-to-landlord rent payments for Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) clients.

NDP Caucus Office