REGINA - The Saskatchewan NDP is calling out the Sask. Party government failure to put Saskatchewan workers and companies first. Construction is set to begin on the Blue Hills wind power project north of Swift Current under a power purchase agreement with an out-of-province company bringing in out-of-province workers. NDP Leader Ryan Meili is calling for Saskatchewan companies and workers to be prioritized for the next round of SaskPower’s power purchase agreements which are set to be announced in the near future.
“These important infrastructure projects, especially in green energy, drive employment and trades experience that is crucial to our recovery and our long-term economic and energy future,” said Meili. “But that potential to drive new jobs that will build Saskatchewan expertise are lost when the Sask. Party refuses to ensure that Saskatchewan workers are hired to build these projects. The fact that out-of-province workers are building our projects is especially problematic during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Meili noted that under the Sask. Party, the ten biggest infrastructure projects in the last ten years have all gone to out-of-province and out-of-country companies. The Sask. Party’s management of energy infrastructure under SaskPower is a major contributor to this problem. Under a previous power purchase agreement with SaskPower, an out of province private company is currently building another wind project near Assiniboia. That company also brought in out-of-province workers during a pandemic, drawing criticism from the local community.
“With the challenges we are facing in Saskatchewan, we should be looking at every opportunity to create good jobs in sustainable industries right here, for Saskatchewan companies and Saskatchewan workers,” said Meili. “The Premier must ensure that Saskatchewan workers are building our infrastructure at this crucial time.”
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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.