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.
NDP Blames Sask. Party’s Carbon Capture Spending for SaskPower Failures
Preventative maintenance, inspections and planning have all suffered in recent years at SaskPower under Sask. Party management, the latest Auditor’s Report shows, and, with widespread power outages hitting the province this month, the NDP is calling for action to address the issue.
“The auditor’s report clearly shows that the Sask. Party has dropped the ball on the inspection, maintenance and record-keeping of SaskPower’s above-ground assets,” said NDP SaskPower Critic Cathy Sproule. “If SaskPower isn’t given the proper tools or funds to effectively serve the province, then we’re all left in the dark.”
Meili’s Christmas Wish for Moe: Restore SAID program for seniors
After two seniors voiced their concern that they could end up on the street because they will stop receiving the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disabilities (SAID) program when they turn 65, NDP Leader Ryan Meili renewed his party’s call for the government to restore senior eligibility for the program, and appealed to Premier Moe to do so before the holidays.
“No one deserves this for their 65th birthday,” Meili wrote on Facebook and Twitter. “Will Scott Moe recognize the damage his government's cuts have done and finally reverse them, or will he leave people like Cam and Anita Duff out in the cold?”
NDP, Saskatoon mom call on government to address long biopsy wait times
The large backlog of biopsies identified in yesterday’s report from the Provincial Auditor is making treatment more difficult and causing stress for patients. One such patient shared her experience today in the hope of galvanizing action, joining NDP Leader Ryan Meili and Health Critic Vicki Mowat to call on the government to make the necessary improvements to reduce biopsy wait times to a matter of days rather than weeks.
“Waiting on a biopsy result can be incredibly stressful, and a long wait can delay badly needed treatment,” Meili said. “Doctors have been raising this issue for years now, and this Auditor’s Report shows that more needs to be done to address the backlog and ensure prompt testing is available for those who need it.”
NDP raises concern over failings identified in Auditor’s report
The second volume of the Provincial Auditor’s report, released today, identifies several areas where the Sask. Party government’s failure to wisely invest in people has caused greater suffering and costs us all more.
One significant concern is the backlog of biopsies identified in the report. As of September 2018, there was a backlog of 1,300 biopsies awaiting analysis at the Regina and Saskatoon labs.
NDP kept focus on economy, jobs, and improving health and education in successful fall session
The NDP wrapped up a successful fall session bringing the fight to the Sask. Party for their cuts to education, the deteriorating health outcomes and crisis in mental health and addictions, and their mismanagement of the economy as a whole and in particular their costly and failed megaprojects. While raising the concerns of people from throughout Saskatchewan in the Legislature, the NDP also proposed several ideas that would help better the lives of all people.
“Our caucus team has worked incredibly hard this session to hold this government to account for its damaging choices, while putting forward the good policy ideas that can make a positive difference in people’s lives,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili.