New numbers from Statistics Canada today show that the value of building permits has plunged 57% year over year and that Saskatchewan had the greatest drop in the value of building permits of all the provinces.
Friday’s jobs numbers also 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.
With government-wide infrastructure spending falling each year for the past few years, projected to be down 44% from 2016, the outlook for Saskatchewan’s construction industry appears bleak if the Sask. Party doesn’t change course.
“The Sask. Party’s decision to add the PST to construction labour has slammed the brakes on an economy that was already struggling,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “We need an economy that works for people and keeps people working, which is why we’re committed to a Sask-First procurement policy that puts our workers and our companies to work building our schools, hospitals and roads. Together we can undo the damage the Sask. Party has done and create good jobs for Saskatchewan people.”
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.