With Saskatchewan people and businesses continuing to struggle from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and SaskTel in a strong position, the NDP is calling for the government to expand service in rural Saskatchewan and introduce greater flexibility for Crown bill repayments where needed.
“With the release of the SaskTel annual report today, we can see that this valued Crown Corporation is in a strong financial position to give people the time they need to pay their bills,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “The Sask. Party’s arbitrary limits on the window of time for arrears to be settled only furthers the financial burden for customers. Extending the pay period just makes sense.”
Wotherspoon also called for the enhancement of high-speed Internet access in rural and Northern Saskatchewan.
“Having proper access to high-speed Internet in rural and Northern parts of Saskatchewan is vital for people and businesses, especially during a pandemic,” Wotherspoon said. “It’s time to act to connect rural Saskatchewan, which will also help secure our province’s recovery and build for the future.”
Wotherspoon underscored the NDP’s commitment to protect the Crowns from Sask. Party privatization efforts. He also raised caution that earlier this week, the Minister responsible for SaskPower wouldn’t rule out rate increases.
“It blows my mind that the Sask. Party was plotting and scheming to sell off SaskTel – a Crown that has proven time and time again to be of incredible value to Saskatchewan people,” he said. “This pandemic has shown more than ever that Saskatchewan people need a government committed to protecting and strengthening our Crowns.”
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.