According to information obtained by the NDP through Freedom of Information, schools at 80% of Saskatchewan school divisions are in "poor" condition or worse, with Regina Catholic School Board facilities listed as "critical."
“Our kids are struggling to learn in overcrowded classrooms with less support because the Sask. Party has failed to fund enrolment growth to the tune of $80 million,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “Today we're seeing that our schools aren't just overcrowded, they're crumbling, and the Sask. Party is letting Saskatchewan students down by failing to keep up with its infrastructure responsibilities.”
Before releasing the report to the NDP, the government redacted the value of required maintenance, claiming it could “disclose a confidence of the Executive Council.” The NDP has asked the Information Commissioner to review the decision to withhold that information.
In Question Period, Meili called on the government to start publicly reporting on the condition of Saskatchewan schools.
“In 2015, the cost of deferred maintenance in our kids' schools was $1.5 billion,” said Meili. “Because of this government's neglect, we know that this cost has gone up, but the Sask. Party won't say by how much. We think Saskatchewan people deserve answers as to why our schools have been allowed to crumble and how much it will cost to repair them.”
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.