Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

NDP raises concerns about limited public consultation following stealth libraries review

Responding to the Sask. Party government’s Report on Saskatchewan Public Libraries Engagement, NDP Education Critic Carla Beck said that public consultation “appears to be an afterthought” in the libraries review process, “when it should be front and centre.” The government released the report late yesterday afternoon, setting a two-week limit on comment on the report, with no public meetings scheduled and no opportunity to engage broader questions about the role or future of libraries in Saskatchewan.

Beck noted that Saskatchewan libraries were only saved from deep cuts in the 2017 budget by widespread public outcry, with thousands of people rallying in support. The government walked back those cuts, announcing it would conduct a review of the library system to determine next steps.

NDP calling for action as value of building permits drops

With Statistics Canada data released today showing the value of building permits dropping 22.8% ($43.9 million) over the last year, the NDP is renewing its call for the government to remove the PST from construction labour and contracts.

“The Sask. Party’s damaging decision to add PST to construction has hurt workers and companies throughout the province,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “There’s no doubt that the PST hike is a significant cause of the downturn in this important industry.”  

Meili hopes 60s Scoop apology comes with commitment to improved child welfare

This morning NDP Opposition Leader Ryan Meili issued the following statement, adding his caucus’ voice to the Government of Saskatchewan apology to those who suffered as a result of the Sixties Scoop:

NDP calling for transparency around Sask. Party’s decision to privatize Crown services

Following the Sask. Party government’s decision to transfer gas and electrical inspections and permitting from SaskPower, gas and electrical licensing from the Ministry of Government Relations and plumbing inspections and permitting from the Saskatchewan Health Authority to the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan, NDP SaskPower Critic Cathy Sproule has written a letter to the relevant Ministers raising several questions about the decision.

“For the sake of fairness and transparency,” said Sproule, “I believe the employees impacted by this decision as well as the people of the province deserve to know why the Sask. Party has decided to go down this route.”

NDP calling on Sask. Party to properly rehabilitate inmates

The NDP is calling on the Sask. Party government to act on the 2008 and 2018 recommendations contained in the Provincial Auditor’s recent report regarding the proper rehabilitation of adult inmates.

“We know that the province’s high rate of recidivism in corrections puts a huge strain on resources as well as correctional facilities and staff,” said NDP Justice Critic Nicole Sarauer. “Government has a responsibility to ensure inmates the opportunity to rehabilitate so that we don’t see the same people reoffending again and again. The Provincial Auditor’s report released last week shows yet again that the Sask. Party is quite simply not living up to its responsibilities.”

NDP calls for broader investigation into strange dealings in Pinehouse

The NDP is calling for more answers and an expanded investigation after MBC Radio revealed that Minister of Finance Donna Harpauer received free accommodations during two recreational trips to Northern Saskatchewan, paid for by the Northern Village of Pinehouse, and failed to disclose these gifts. The Minister responded yesterday that she had thought it was a “personal friend” who paid for the trips, and committed to reimbursing the village.