New Democrats sound alarm on Covid-19 numbers and need to support economy, businesses

NDP Leader Ryan Meili and Economy and Jobs Critic Aleana Young called today for emergency action to control the spread of COVID-19 and support Saskatchewan businesses in a second wave.

“A plan that fails to control COVID-19 fails to support Saskatchewan businesses,” said Meili. “If we don’t take steps to contain the pandemic then we will be seeing hospitals overwhelmed, and schools and businesses closing. Any action not taken now means more severe measures will have to be taken further down the road. With doctors joining together to call for action from the government, it’s time for real leadership.”

Due to an extended surge in cases, the province of Manitoba has entered into lockdown as of today. Alberta is considering added measures in response to case increases there. “We need to be looking at Manitoba and other jurisdictions that are facing higher cases and more severe restrictions and ask ‘what weren’t they doing a month ago that we should be doing now?’” said Meili. “It’s time to listen to doctors, nurses and health care professionals, learn from the experience of other provinces and take coordinated action - now.”

Young noted that businesses and workers are worried about the effect of a second wave and deserve to know what the plan is to control the virus and support people who are out of work if another lockdown is necessary. While the Sask. Party’s election platform contained $66 million in cuts to COVID-19 supports for businesses and families, the government’s own numbers say that our province will lose 24,900 jobs this year and Saskatchewan was the only province to see it’s economy shrink in the lead up to the pandemic.

“I own a small business. I’m worried that if we don’t get the virus under control now we’re going to see more closures and more jobs lost further down the road,” said Young. “This government needs to be proactive instead of sitting back and just waiting for things to get worse. Every option needs to be on the table to support businesses, support jobs and keep our economy moving.”

Latest posts

JEREMY COCKRILL IS FORCING HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO A STRIKE VOTE — AND HIS OWN COMMUNITY WILL PAY THE PRICE

Pattern Of Failed Bargaining Attempts Mean Workers Leaving For Good And Putting System In Increasing Danger: Roy
NORTH BATTLEFORD – Carla Beck’s team is in Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill’s own riding today, calling him out for forcing 14,000 desperately needed healthcare workers to vote on a strike as they have gone four years without a contract.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM CALLS FOR ACTION TO SUPPORT SASKATCHEWAN PRODUCERS IN WAKE OF DAMNING REPORT ON PRODUCERS BEING SHORTED AND SQUEEZED

Agriculture Producers Association Of Saskatchewan Says Costs Rising, Farm Share Falling For Saskatchewan Producers
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team, while taking in Ag in Motion in Langham, is calling on Scott Moe and the Sask. Party to take action to improve the bottom line for producers.

THE SASK. PARTY CLAIMS ABOUT IMPROVING SAID PROGRAM DON’T MATCH THE REALITY OF CLIENTS WHO ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO GET BY

Scott Moe, Sask. Party Focused On Photo Ops & Political Spin While Those In Need Suffer
REGINA – Today, Carla Beck’s team is calling out the Sask. Party for their continual failures to provide sufficient support for SAID clients here in Saskatchewan.

POTENTIAL HEALTHCARE WORKER STRIKE ENTIRELY THE FAULT OF SCOTT MOE, JEREMY COCKRILL

Carla Beck’s Team Demands A Fair Deal For Frontline Workers After Four Years Without A Contract
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is laying the potential of a fall strike involving thousands of healthcare workers squarely at the feet of Scott Moe and his ignorant Health Minister — who seems to cause strikes everywhere he goes — and demanding immediate action to get to the bargaining table and deliver a fair deal.

NDP Caucus Office