Today in Question Period, the NDP called on the government to implement a Sask. First procurement and brought to light issues with the province’s infrastructure.
“Whether it comes to procurement, building or maintenance, the Sask. Party’s approach to our education and health infrastructure has only let Saskatchewan people down,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “This government has sunk billions of public dollars into projects like the Regina Bypass and left other projects like the Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford falling apart before they even open. Both of these projects were built by out-of-province companies and both shut out Saskatchewan workers.”
Meili also raised questions about the Sask. Party’s plans for a P3 $200 million “social infrastructure” project identified in the RFP posted to SaskBuilds.
The Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford was built using a P3 model, a facility which required major repairs within months of opening. In December, Moody’s issued a credit opinion on Access Prairie Partnership, the out-of-province company that built the hospital, that significantly degraded their credit rating based on the full roof replacement and faulty work. Moody’s also said the repairs will cost the proponent $25 million and construction will not be completed until the summer of 2021.
Meanwhile recently obtained documents show that because of Sask. Party’s cuts in education, the total cost of deferred maintenance in the province’s schools is up to $1.3 billion.
“The Sask. Party has failed to ensure the proper building and maintenance of things that matter to Saskatchewan people like schools and hospitals,” Meili said. “It’s time for a Sask First procurement model 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.