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

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

NDP ATHABASCA MLA DEMANDS MISSING-IN-ACTION SASK. PARTY CALL FOR FEDERAL HELP TO FIGHT FIRES IN NORTH

Provincial Government Bears Responsibility For Wildfire Crisis, But Has Failed To Provide Resources, Financial Support For Evacuees 
 
BATOCHE – Saskatchewan NDP Athabasca MLA Leroy Laliberte is demanding the Sask. Party Government immediately seek federal help to fight fires in the North that have surrounded several communities and temporarily cut off road access for thousands of residents. 

SASK. PARTY MISSING IN ACTION AS FIRE SURROUNDS BEAUVAL, FRONTLINE RESPONDERS & COMMUNITY LEADERS BEG FOR HELP

More Than 1,000 People Evacuated From Communities Amid Latest Fire Threat In North 
 
SASKATOON – The Sask. Party is again failing to respond to wildfires in the North as people in impacted communities beg for help and more than 1,000 have been forced from their phones. 
More — Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

Share this post

NDP Caucus Office

Email:
Phone: 306.787.7388
Address:
2405 Legislative Dr, Room 265
Regina, SK S4S 0B3

Media Inquiries

Landen Kleisinger
Director of Communications and Media Relations
Email: