Saskatchewan NDP Caucus

Sask. Party’s talk of growth not borne out by facts in mid-year report: NDP

Today's mid-year report points to a struggling economy and a Sask. Party government that continues to inflate growth projections and to be slow to respond to emerging challenges like a struggling economy and overcrowded classrooms.

"This morning’s mid-year report shows yet again that this government is letting people down,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “Economic growth has been cut in half from what they predicted in the budget. Saskatchewan is on track to have the second lowest growth rate in the country, at 0.6 percent. Retail sales are down. Exports are down. Building permits, housing starts, and construction jobs are all down compared to last year.”

NDP, advocates call for changes as Sask. Party’s cancellation of net-metering program causes job and investment loss

John Brazill, Donna Nelson and Shanon Zachidniak of the Wascana Solar Co-operative joined the NDP at the Legislature today to speak to the damage the Sask. Party has done to the solar energy industry in the province and to call for the reversal of changes to the net-metering program.

“The Sask. Party didn’t just damage this important industry in our province, they devastated it,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “The Sask. Party has done nothing but let people down and we’re seeing the destructive effects their changes are having on Saskatchewan businesses and jobs every day.”

NDP Introduces bill to include health employees in whistleblower legislation

Today, Saskatchewan NDP Health critic Vicki Mowat introduced a one-clause bill to include employees of the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) in the Public Interest Disclosure Act, the province’s whistleblower legislation.

“The Sask. Party government doesn’t need to wait to protect these hard-working employees—they could do it today,” Mowat said. “After their recent attempts to silence doctors and other health employees, this government needs to make it crystal clear that those who come forward with concerns will be protected.”

NDP, Makwa Sahgaiehcan Chief push for government to support NDP’s suicide prevention strategy bill

Today at the Legislature, NDP Leader Ryan Meili was joined by Makwa Sahgaiehcan Chief Ronald Mitsuing to push the government to support the NDP’s bill to implement a suicide prevention strategy.

“Families are hurting, communities across the province are hurting, and they are all looking for answers from the government,” Meili said. “Right now, we’re seeing the suicide crisis get worse, not better, because we don’t have a government that is putting people first.

Sask. Party blocks attempts to get answers on $16 million loss from public purse

On Wednesday morning the Sask. Party government shut down a motion that would have compelled the manager of two government investment funds to explain a $16.4 million combined loss.

At this morning's meeting of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies, Sask. Party government members voted down a motion from NDP Central Services Critic Cathy Sproule to question Grant Kook about the losses racked up by the First Nations and Metis Fund (FNMF) and Saskatchewan Immigrant Investor Fund (SIIF), both of which were bankrolled with public money.

“How did the Sask. Party let it get this bad?”: NDP calls for action as issues mount at Pioneer Village

Mold in wards and staff layoffs at the Pioneer Village senior complex in Regina are two of the latest issues brought on by inaction by the Sask. Party, leaving the NDP calling for answers.

“People are being let down by the Sask. Party government – whether it’s the staff at Pioneer Village or the patients and their families,” said NDP Deputy Leader Nicole Sarauer. “It’s frustrating that it’s gotten to this point and we still haven’t seen a plan from the government to invest in long-term care here in Regina.”