Doing politics differently comes with fresh ideas and strong opposition during Spring Session

The spring session in the Legislature ended with the NDP holding the Sask. Party to account for their PST hikes, money-wasting scandals, and lack of vision to stimulate the province’s economy and create jobs, while also proposing ways to make Saskatchewan better for everyone.

Despite the opportunities to improve Saskatchewan’s future with their 2018/19 budget, the Sask. Party continued down the path of mismanagement and hurting the most vulnerable. They did not fully restore the $54 million cut from education funding in the last budget; they cut $5 million from the rental housing supplement; and they cut $3 million for job training and workforce development programs.

“Saskatchewan has one of the worst records in job creation in the country and yet we didn’t see any vision or plan from the Sask. Party to get people back to work or make life more affordable for families whether it's in rural Saskatchewan, the cities or the North,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili.

Similar to previous sessions, the Sask. Party has dodged questions about their scandalous GTH pet project. With its lack of land sales, the GTH is continuing to cost the people of Saskatchewan more and more.

Even with a new premier, the Sask. Party has failed to address many of the concerns laid out by the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth. They still have not provided the necessary mental health supports that have been called for by community leaders.

“The Sask. Party has yet to take meaningful action to address the growing number of First Nations and Metis children in the province’s care. The lack of progress shows this government does not take these concerns seriously,” said Meili. “The Sask. Party needs to fulfill its promises to Indigenous communities and close the gaps in education, health services and the justice system.”

The NDP put forward a number of pieces of legislation, and saw many successes with proposing change. The NDP continued their push to get big money out of politics, to get the province to implement sexual assault and domestic violence strategies, and to get parents access to extended parental leave. The NDP, with the backing of the people of the province, forced the Sask. Party to repeal Bill 40, and continued their fight to protect the Crowns. Meili and the team of MLAs called for fair minimum wages, investment in education and advocacy on national pharmacare.

“This session was about doing politics differently, and with that comes the work of holding the government to account, but more importantly, proposing new ideas,” Meili said. “Over the summer, the NDP team will continue to reach out to the province, listen to stakeholders, and do our part to make the lives of all Saskatchewan people better. The work starts with winning the upcoming byelection in Regina Northeast.”

Latest posts

Moe gov’t collects $1.32 billion more in taxes, fees, provincial carbon tax amid cost-of-living crisis

Wotherspoon: “It’s coming out of your pocket.”

REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon criticized the Moe government for massively increasing the tax, fee, and provincial carbon tax grab when Saskatchewan families are already struggling to pay the bills.

Share this post