Today NDP Leader Ryan Meili was in Moose Jaw to raise concerns about the Sask. Party’s flawed procurement process, which risks leaving Saskatchewan workers out in the cold once again when it comes to large projects such as the SaskPower natural gas plant in Moose Jaw. SaskPower announced last week that two US-based companies have been selected to compete for the bid.
“Whether it’s the Regina Bypass or Chinook Power Station, the Sask. Party’s track record has been to favour large, out-of-province companies at the expense of Saskatchewan workers,” Meili said. “By not putting Saskatchewan workers first, the Sask. Party is failing to build and maintain a healthy economy in the province.”
Burns and McDonnell, which has its headquarters located in Kansas City, MO, and the Kiewit Corporation, which is based out of Omaha, NE, were the two companies shortlisted to construct the Moose Jaw power station.
Meili said the construction industry is struggling as a result of the Sask. Party’s failure to put Saskatchewan workers first, with the value of building permits dropping 57 per cent year over year, the greatest drop among all the provinces. The latest jobs numbers from Statistics Canada show that there were 6,300 fewer construction jobs in January compared to last year, and a drop of 6,800 construction jobs compared to 2018.
“When we’re building our schools and hospitals, highways and power stations, with our money, it should be our workers and our companies on the jobsite,” Meili said. “There are plenty of Saskatchewan people who are out of work who didn't even get a chance to work on the Chinook Power Station. We can't afford to repeat that mistake — that's why we need a procurement policy that works for Saskatchewan people, and keeps Saskatchewan people working.”
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.