On Tuesday, Carla Beck’s team demanded answers after Minister Ken Cheveldayoff disclosed a February ministerial trip to Thailand and the Philippines, costing $42,000 in airfare alone for himself, his Chief of Staff and two officials. The ticket prices appear to be consistent with rates charged for business-class tickets.
Students learning of the lavish trip paid for by the public were quick to provide evidence to Beck’s team that, just weeks later in April, the University of Saskatchewan announced a $270 tuition hike for the coming school year.
“The Minister wines and dines at 30,000 feet all the while the students he’s supposed to represent are paying more and more for their education,” Grewal said. “This is shameful leadership and a pattern of a Sask. Party government that, after 20 years, has forgotten everyday people in this province.”
Saskatchewan people already report the greatest financial anxiety in Canada. Students, in particular, have lamented sky-high food prices and the cost of rent, which has risen in Saskatchewan for 47-straight months.
The Sask. Party was quick to defend Cheveldayoff’s spending when asked by reporters.
“Is this really the message that Scott Moe wants to send to Saskatchewan students?” Grewal questioned. “That his minister gets to sip wine and dab his face with hot towels while students work double shifts and stack on debt just to get by?
“If the Minister won’t come out and apologize and commit to a full accounting of what happened here, I have to ask how he has any business continuing to be the Minister.
“It really is time for change in Saskatchewan.”
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