Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

NDP tables bill to stop Sask. Party’s failed experiment with private MRIs

Today, Saskatchewan NDP Health critic Vicki Mowat introduced a bill to repeal the province’s private MRI legislation and focus on getting all patients the care they need, not just those who can pay to jump the queue.

“Saskatchewan people facing serious health challenges shouldn’t be left waiting longer while those who can afford to pay get moved to the front of the line,” said Mowat. “Wait times for MRIs were already ballooning before the pandemic. It got so bad the Sask. Party stopped even reporting wait times last June. It’s time we end this failed experiment with two-tier healthcare and get to work clearing the backlog as quickly and fairly as possible.”

NDP seeks answers on Sask Hospital’s empty wards and water issues

The NDP is seeking answers and a release of the long-promised facility audit on the troubled Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford. In Question Period, NDP Leader Ryan Meili pointed to a host of issues that have left the facility half-empty, the water undrinkable, and residents “burning their butts” because of hot water in the toilets, according to a report released today. 

“Saskatchewan people spent good money on this badly needed hospital, but unfortunately, most of that money went to out-of-province companies that clearly cut corners” said Meili. “The Sask. Party stuck us with a non-functional facility where you could steep tea in the toilets, but you can’t drink the water.” 

Sask First Fail: SaskPower CEO letter reveals Saskatchewan companies and workers missing out

The Saskatchewan NDP is pushing for a Sask-First procurement model to ensure that Saskatchewan workers and companies get the chance to build Saskatchewan infrastructure. The latest call comes in response to a letter by SaskPower’s President and CEO dated April 7, 2020, which stated that less than a quarter of the funding for the Chinook Power Station went to local companies, and that Saskatchewan workers make up less than half the workforce onsite.

“Major infrastructure projects like the Chinook Power Station drive employment and trades experience that is crucial to our recovery, but the Sask. Party’s unwillingness to hire locally means we’re using our money to stimulate Alberta’s or France’s economy, not Saskatchewan’s,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “Saskatchewan workers and companies are struggling to make ends meet, while the Sask. Party keeps handing over hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to out-of-province companies.”

NDP presses Sask. Party for details, funding commitments to support school reopening plan

The Saskatchewan NDP is pressing the government for details of how the province’s schools are to reopen safely, and how the plan will be funded, as teachers and parents continue to express misgivings about the plan presented last week.

“Parents, teachers, kids — everyone wants to see schools reopen safely this fall,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “But we’ve seen from other places, that is going to take a lot of thought, a lot of work, and some dedicated resources. It’s important we get this right.”

NDP and Samwel Uko’s family welcome Coroner’s Inquest, urge government action on suicide prevention

On the same day the Sask. Party voted down an NDP motion calling for a suicide prevention strategy, NDP Leader Ryan Meili joined Samwel Uko’s uncle Justin Nyee to welcome the announcement of a Coroner’s Inquest into Uko’s death, and to urge the government to act to prevent further deaths by sucide in the province.

Sask. Party spikes suicide prevention strategy bill, NDP vows to continue to push for action

Today the Sask. Party government voted down Bill No. 618 — The Saskatchewan Strategy for Suicide Prevention Act, which had been introduced by NDP Critic for Northern Affairs Doyle Vermette in November. 

“I’m at a loss,” said Vermette. “So many lives in our province, particularly in the North, have been devastated by the death of a loved one because of suicide. Many of those people joined us here in the Legislature to call on the government to act. How am I to explain to those families this government’s unwillingness to do what is so badly needed right now?”