REGINA - In light of a report from Angus Reid that found two-thirds of parents feel children are an afterthought in pandemic decision-making, Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili called on the government to step up and prioritize the health and wellbeing of Saskatchewan’s future generations and expand PCR testing to children.
“With no protection for kids, it's no wonder parents are feeling vulnerable and unsupported,” Meili said. “Despite rising rates of kids under 5 in our emergency rooms, the government has refused to provide access to basic PCR testing for kids. In the birthplace of medicare, parents should not be charged $200 to know what their kids are sick with and what the long-term impacts could be.”
Saskatchewan's latest weekly COVID-19 statistical summary reported an alarming rise in emergency room visits for children aged one to four with COVID-like illness from 67.9 per 1,000 visits last report to 72.6. Currently PCR testing is restricted to at-risk priority populations, though many parents have reported difficulty in securing a PCR test through the public system.
Kira Taylor, a mother anxious about the health of her two young children, contacted MLA Terry Jenson about the government’s lack of support for parents and was told to “learn to live with [COVID].” Speaking at the legislature today, Kira said: “I am feeling very defeated and vulnerable, as I am not sure how to keep my family safe. What are people like me supposed to do?”
The Official Opposition calls on the government to expand access to PCR testing to those who need it, prioritizing children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.
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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.