Slamming the Sask. Party’s announcement that minimum wage workers would get only a 13-cent-an-hour pay increase in October, NDP Leader Ryan Meili dismissed the adjustment as an “insult” and pressed the Saskatchewan government to bring relief to frontline workers by substantially raising the minimum wage.
“Thirteen cents doesn’t get you very far — and it doesn’t help the majority of families that were already living paycheque to paycheque before COVID-19,” said Meili. “It’s time for the Sask. Party to stop insulting frontline workers with our worst-in-the-nation minimum wage, set aside their broken formula and give frontline workers the raise they deserve.”
Saskatchewan’s low minimum wage hurts working people and the economy. Before COVID struck, half of working families were living paycheque to paycheque and worried they’d end the year with more debt than at the start, and the economy was already in recession. After the substantial economic shock of a pandemic lock-down and a plunge in commodity prices, the boost that a bit more money in people’s pockets would offer is even more important.
“Premier Scott Moe is letting Saskatchewan families down when we need leadership the most,” said Meili. “New Democrats are committed to bringing in a $15 minimum wage in our first term in government, for everyone’s economic well-being.”
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.