The consequences of the Sask. Party government’s cuts to the most vulnerable and tax hikes for the middle class are on full display in the 2018-19 fiscal update, with growth projections down significantly since the budget, and spending on social services up.
“It’s the choices we make when times are tough that define us,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “And by that measure, Premier Moe and the Sask. Party will be remembered for making the economic downturn worse by cutting health and education, and by adding the PST to key economic drivers like restaurant meals, construction labour, and used car sales.”
Saskatchewan’s GDP growth was the lowest outside the Maritimes in 2017, and is projected to go even lower, with the updated GDP forecast slashed from 1.3% to 0.7% in 2018, from 2.5% to 1.2% in 2019, and from 2.6% to 2.3% in 2020.
Meanwhile, social services spending has climbed by $23 million above what was budgeted, “primarily due to caseload increases in child and family services at the Ministry of Social Services.” In other words, more people are slipping through the cracks because of the cuts and mismanagement of a government that spent recklessly through the boom years, draining the rainy day fund and doubling the debt over the last ten years.
“The degree to which this government squandered an unprecedented windfall resource boom is staggering,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “And when the economy went into a skid, Moe and the Sask. Party slammed on the brakes. People are hurting and are justifiably furious about this reckless mismanagement.”
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.