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

SCOTT MOE’S PUBLIC SAFETY MINISTER WEGER CAUGHT LYING ON THE RECORD ABOUT SHOCKING WILDFIRE REPORT

Enough Is Enough — Scott Moe Needs To Fire His Incompetent Public Safety Replacement Minister
SASKATOON – Scathing new documents show the Sask. Party government lying to people of the North who lost so much during last year’s devastating wildfire season. The lies are just the latest in a series of failures, cover ups and scandals concerning Scott Moe’s government’s horrific preparation, response and review of the disaster that saw hundreds of homes and businesses burnt to the ground.

LUXURY JET SCANDAL TAKES OFF AS WEEDMARK REFUSES TO PRODUCE RECEIPTS

Second Luxury Jet Video Emerges Showing Scott Moe’s Out-Of-Touch Sask. Party MLA Using Lavish Private Jets To Perform Government Business
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is demanding that Scott Moe’s MLA for Moosomin-Montmartre reveal how many times he has used luxury private jets while performing government duties.

SCOTT MOE’S REFUSAL TO PROVIDE RELIEF KEEPS SMALL BUSINESSES UNDER WATER

Retail Sales Growth In Saskatchewan Dead-Last, Financial Anxiety For Consumers Highest In Canada
SASKATOON - Carla Beck’s team is standing with a Saskatoon small business owner, calling out Scott Moe for refusing to provide any relief despite sky-high costs, which will only be made worse by new tariffs.

REGINA PEDIATRIC DIABETIC CARE CHANGES LEAVE RURAL FAMILIES FEELING ABANDONED

Scott Moe’s Minister Brushed Off Changes Last Week, Said Health Authority Could Have Communicated Better
WOLSELEY — A mother from Wolseley is speaking out about an abrupt and harmful change to pediatric diabetic care in Regina that she says has disrupted care for her family and made an already difficult situation even harder to navigate.

NDP Caucus Office