The NDP is seeking answers as to why the Sask. Party for standing up for the French conglomerate that built the Regina Bypass instead of the Saskatchewan workers who were trying to get paid for their work on the project.
“Anytime Saskatchewan people have raised an issue with the Regina Bypass, whether it was local farmers who took exception to their land being expropriated or Balgonie citizens concerned with semi trucks being diverted to a dead-end on Main Street, the Sask. Party has always sided with the large French conglomerate over local voices,” said NDP Regina Bypass Critic Cathy Sproule. “Here is yet another case where the Sask. Party is putting their wealthy and well-connected friends before Saskatchewan people.”
Supreme Steel, a company based in Saskatoon, was subcontracted by the Bypass Builders to construct steel girders for bridges on the Bypass. In fall of 2018, the Steel company issued a lien to the Bypass Builders, seeking to get paid for their work. However, the French conglomerate instead took the subcontractor to court, claiming the Builders’ Lien Act didn’t apply to the bypass bridges.
Instead of standing up for the local company, the Ministry of Highways joined the conglomerate and took the company to court. The Bypass Builders’ and the Ministry of Highway’s application was dismissed, with the Justice presiding over the case calling it “extremely unreasonable.”
Sproule questioned how many other liens have been put on the bypass and how many other small companies have been squeezed.
Sproule also pointed to the NDP’s commitment to a Sask First procurement plan, which would prioritize local companies and local workers in building public infrastructure.
“The government should be putting local businesses and workers first, not letting them down,” Sproule said.
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.