NDP demands independent inquiry into the Sask. Party’s handling of the pandemic

Fall session revealed more questions than answers on deadly 4th wave

REGINA - With mounting evidence the Sask. Party government put political considerations ahead of a public health response that would have protected Saskatchewan’s health system and saved lives, the Official Opposition is calling for the Premier to commit to a full independent public inquiry into the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We started this session knowing the Premier had ignored Dr. Shahab’s recommendations, buried the modelling, and had ignored doctors and other medical experts,” said Meili. “What’s become clear since, is that Saskatchewan’s health system has been driven to the brink of collapse, SHA leaders are jumping ship, but this government refuses to answer why. The Sask. Party government spent the fall session spinning instead of providing answers to why they continued to put politics ahead of people’s lives during the greatest health crisis of our generation.”

A public inquiry would provide answers to outstanding questions on the provincial government’s failed handling of the fourth wave:

Why did the Premier ignore modelling in June that predicted the deadly fourth wave, and rush to remove COVID restrictions despite missing their own immunization target?
Did the Premier and Health Minister’s rhetoric regarding “personal rights” sow confusion and hesitancy, further hampering Saskatchewan’s immunization rates?
Why did the Education Minister ignore the warning signs, refuse to follow SHA back-to-school recommendations, and download his responsibilities to school divisions?
What were the consequences of ignoring the recommendations of the government’s own local medical health officers — instead choosing to pander to the fears of creating “two classes of citizens” — all while Saskatchewan posted record new case rates?
Why did the Premier blame northern leaders and the federal government for the rise in cases, rather than take accountability for his own actions?
Why did the Premier refuse to accept federal aid when it was offered, instead opting to call US states, until having to medevac patients to Ontario?
What medical health recommendations were ignored by this government, resulting in thousands of cancelled surgeries, organ transplants and therapies?
What medical health recommendations were accepted or ignored by this government which led the province to have the highest COVID death rate in Canada, culminating in October being Saskatchewan’s deadliest month of the pandemic?
In light of recent departure of the CEO of the SHA Scott Livingstone, and other key senior SHA officials, what role has the government played in the “unprecedented pressure” within the Saskatchewan Health Authority?

“This is a government that has shown time and time again that it is politics, not what is best for Saskatchewan people, that has driven it’s COVID response. The people of this province deserve answers on the medical advice and recommendations that were provided to this Premier and his government,” said Meili. “We need an non-partisan, independent inquiry to get to the bottom of what led Saskatchewan to have the worst pandemic response of all provinces.”

-30-

For more information please contact:

Brock Bowman

306-519-9549

Latest posts

CARLA BECK'S TEAM REAFFIRMS CALL FOR RENT CONTROL AS REGINA SENIORS FACE SKY-HIGH RENTAL INCREASES

New Data Shows The Annual Change In Average Asking Rent Has Reached 24.6 Per Cent In Saskatchewan, The Highest In Canada
REGINA – Today, Carla Beck's team is standing alongside residents of The Williston, a seniors' living complex in Regina, to renew the call for rent control in Saskatchewan.

SASKATOON DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY ON DATA CENTRES AS GOVERNMENT FAILS TO ANSWER BASIC QUESTIONS

SASKATOON — Saskatchewan people have questions about the growing number of proposed data centres in the province, and Carla Beck‘s team is making sure they have an opportunity to be heard.
Beck’s team hosted a public data centre open house in Saskatoon on Wednesday evening to hear directly from residents about their concerns, including the potential impacts on electricity, water, land use, the environment, jobs and the long-term costs and benefits to Saskatchewan communities.

SCOTT MOE’S PUBLIC SAFETY MINISTER WEGER CAUGHT LYING ON THE RECORD ABOUT SHOCKING WILDFIRE REPORT

Enough Is Enough — Scott Moe Needs To Fire His Incompetent Public Safety Replacement Minister
SASKATOON – Scathing new documents show the Sask. Party government lying to people of the North who lost so much during last year’s devastating wildfire season. The lies are just the latest in a series of failures, cover ups and scandals concerning Scott Moe’s government’s horrific preparation, response and review of the disaster that saw hundreds of homes and businesses burnt to the ground.

LUXURY JET SCANDAL TAKES OFF AS WEEDMARK REFUSES TO PRODUCE RECEIPTS

Second Luxury Jet Video Emerges Showing Scott Moe’s Out-Of-Touch Sask. Party MLA Using Lavish Private Jets To Perform Government Business
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is demanding that Scott Moe’s MLA for Moosomin-Montmartre reveal how many times he has used luxury private jets while performing government duties.

NDP Caucus Office