Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

PST hike hurting investment in construction builds: NDP

Not long after it was reported that the value of building permits dropped, Statistics Canada announced today that investment in building construction in Saskatchewan has dropped year over year, leading the NDP to once again call on the government to remove the PST from construction labour and contracts.

“This drop in investment represents a drop in steady, mortgage-paying jobs in the construction industry and a drop in dollars flowing into the province,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “It’s clear the Sask. Party’s unfair tax hike has done nothing but hurt businesses and workers.”

‘Not good enough’: Meili presses Moe for answers on Huawei

Earlier this week, the Saskatchewan NDP raised concerns regarding SaskTel's involvement with the controversial telecommunications company Huawei. The response from the Sask. Party failed to inspire confidence that they have the situation in hand.

"Saskatchewan people deserve a simple assurance that their information and public investments are secure,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “When the Premier is either unwilling or unable to provide that assurance, that’s a concern.

Meili calls on Moe to review SaskTel’s ties with Huawei

The NDP is calling on the Sask. Party to fully investigate any risk posed by the relationship with Huawei and to take the necessary steps to defend the privacy of Saskatchewan people and the security of the province’s businesses.

“Today, I have written to the Premier to outline our concerns over Huawei having backdoor access to our essential communications infrastructure,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “The most recent revelations of alleged espionage and security threats by Huawei underscore why this government needs to exercise extreme caution and may need to extricate SaskTel from its contractual relationships with this company.”

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: