After touting the need for “transformational change” this spring, the Sask. Party government continues to create uncertainty for health regions, health care workers and communities by apparently reneging on its commitment to name a health commissioner to lead that change.
Saskatchewan has one of the worst records in the country when it comes to domestic violence and violence against women but, instead of taking real action and committing predictable and sustainable government funding to support victims and bring an end to these tragedies, the Sask. Party is providing only the funds raised at their black-tie fundraiser Sunday night.
“Raising much-needed money for a shelter like SOFIA House is obviously a good thing and all those who dip into their pockets and give what they can, should feel good about helping such an important cause,” said NDP Justice, Policing and Corrections Critic Nicole Sarauer. “But, it comes across as much less genuine from the Sask. Party who, for nearly a decade, have chosen to withhold the government funding and support needed to make a more significant difference for these shelters as well the women and children who rely on them. This is especially true as we see the Sask. Party making deeper cuts to funding for some of Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable.”
With news that Bill Boyd is stepping down from cabinet, NDP Leader Trent Wotherspoon noted that the Premier should have shown leadership and held the now former Minister of Economy, the GTH, and SaskPower to account for his mismanagement and scandal with his files, which have cost Saskatchewan taxpayers billions of dollars.
“This scandal plagued Minister should have been kicked out of cabinet a long time ago,” Wotherspoon said. “The fact that, even today, the Premier and the rest of the Sask. Party caucus still stand by Mr. Boyd and his record means that this scandal and waste lays at their feet still.”
The Husky oil spill has highlighted the Sask. Party’s inability or unwillingness to properly regulate and inspect pipelines throughout the province.
“We have seen with the Husky oil spill that self-regulation, along with a lack of proper inspections, is doing nothing to prevent spills from occurring,” said Environment Critic Cathy Sproule. “This government needs to do a much better job of getting in front of the issue before it’s too late.”
The Sask. Party’s latest cold-hearted decision to force people who are unable to work due to a disability to pay for their economic mismanagement needs to be reversed, not just pushed back by several months.
With today’s announcement that the contentious Yancoal Potash Solution Mine has received conditional approval following the environmental assessment, the NDP is calling on the Sask. Party to come clean about what conditions they will demand to ensure the foreign state-owned company won’t put China’s interests ahead of Saskatchewan’s.