NDP Leader Ryan Meili is calling on the provincial government to act quickly to respond to the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the supports are in place to protect Saskatchewan people.
“As things change so quickly, we need to have a government that’s responding quickly as well,” said Meili. “The time to act is now.”
Specifically, Meili called on the Sask. Party government to postpone the budget and act quickly to develop a plan that responds to the current crisis; to “get social distancing right” by banning public gatherings of more than 50 people, including suspending the Legislative session; and to put forward a financial aid package for affected workers and businesses.
Meili specifically called for a financial aid package consisting of:
Beyond the immediate needs, Meili also called on the Saskatchewan government to begin immediate work on a post-pandemic economic stimulus plan, including a major investment in infrastructure so that our hospitals, schools, roads, and energy infrastructure are built by Saskatchewan workers and Saskatchewan companies.
“Let’s invest in Saskatchewan people today,” Meili said. “If we act quickly on the measures for social isolation, the measures for readiness in our health system, and a financial aid package that really meets the needs of Saskatchewan people today, we can get ahead of the curve. We can reduce the negative health and economic impacts on the population. And we can make Saskatchewan what it should be: a good-news story of a province that tackled this the right way and took care of people first.”
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