REGINA - Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili and Critic for Seniors Matt Love stood outside Extendicare Parkside in Regina today to call for sweeping reforms in long-term care and an end to for-profit care in Saskatchewan.
The statement is as follows:
“The Sask. Party government has failed Saskatchewan families. The scale of deaths in long-term care during the second wave of COVID-19, and in particular the tragic outbreak at Extendicare Parkside in Regina, is a shock to the conscience of our province.
The government’s request does not include any reference to the financial arrangement of Extendicare as the only for-profit provider of long-term care in Saskatchewan, as called for by my colleague and NDP Seniors’ Critic Matt Love. It also does not ask the Ombudsman to investigate the role of the Saskatchewan Health Authority or the Ministry of Health, a specific call made by the NDP in committee when we moved a motion calling on the Provincial Auditor to conduct this investigation.
We respect the Ombudsman and look forward to the results of her investigation. But given the track record of this government when it comes to ignoring recommendations made by the Ombudsman, it is increasingly clear that a full public inquiry will be necessary to get to the bottom of this government’s failure to protect our loved ones.”
Shortened Legislative Session means less accountability for Moe government
SASKATOON - The Sask. Party government announced today that it does not intend to recall the legislature until April 6th, several weeks later than is normal for the spring session. The short sessions means less opportunity for public scrutiny of the government’s COVID-19 response and very little time to debate any legislation besides the provincial budget.
With a deadline for the Sask. Party government to agree to AgriStability reforms coming at the end of January, NDP Agriculture Critic Trent Wotherspoon released the following statement:
REGINA - Regina-Elphinstone MLA and Social Services Critic Meara Conway called for immediate action to ensure the new warming centre in her constituency secures funding from the provincial government. Since opening, hundreds of people come through the centre’s doors each day, finding a meal, a place to sleep, and a break from the deadly cold.
The statement reads as follows:
This new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives detailing the millions of federal dollars the Sask. Party is leaving on the table confirms what we already know: that the Sask. Party is failing to make the investments we need now to get COVID-19 under control.
But they’re not only failing to deploy federal dollars, they’re failing to spend the $260 million in the provincial contingency fund that they’ve already approved.
While the Sask. Party has sat on their hands and failed to deploy crucial resources in our schools, hospitals, and care homes, we’ve seen case numbers skyrocket and dozens die needlessly.
The Sask. Party needs to act now to protect lives and livelihoods.