Meili calls for “Last Mile Lottery” to increase vaccine uptake in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON - With clear evidence that Saskatchewan’s vaccine rollout is slowing down and  falling behind other provinces, NDP Leader Ryan Meili called on the Sask. Party government to adopt a “Last Mile Lottery” to increase vaccine uptake in Saskatchewan.

“We all want to put this pandemic behind us as quickly as possible. Families have sacrificed so much and we need to pull out all the stops to go the last mile and reach herd immunity as quickly as possible,” said Meili. “An incentive like the one we propose here today would be an excellent way to get all hands on deck - especially as we are still in a race between the vaccines and the variants, particularly the Delta variant that is more aggressive and resistant.”

“Abysmal” minimum wage increase moves Saskatchewan from the worst in Canada - to the second-worst in Canada

SASKATOON - NDP Leader Ryan Meili slammed the Sask. Party’s announcement of a 36 cent increase to the minimum wage as of October 1, 2021 as “abysmal” and an insult to front-line workers who have sacrificed so much over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Workers in this province have done everything that the government and public health officials have asked of them - and in return Premier Scott Moe has rewarded them with the second-lowest minimum wage in Canada,” said Meili. “Saskatchewan workers deserve so much better, and the economic recovery we all want to see won’t mean much if it doesn’t include working families being able to get back on their feet.”

Statement by NDP Deputy Leader and Justice Critic Nicole Sarauer on Pine Grove Correctional Centre

“I was shocked to learn from workers and SGEU of the concerning situation at Pine Grove Correctional Centre. According to a memo sent to affected staff, a COVID-19 outbreak in the centre has left correctional service workers in an impossible situation. Those staff who worked between May 17 and May 31 are required to continue working but must otherwise self-isolate. This amounts to workers paying the price for Minister Christine Tell and Sask. Party’s failure to control COVID-19 and keep it out of correctional centres.

 These hard-working provincial employees are being punished for the minister's complete abdication of duty and oversight. The Sask. Party government should have prioritized vaccinating staff and inmates when they had the chance, as recommended by both national guidelines and public health officials in the SHA. Employees (mostly women and many with families) are now having to pay for the Sask. Party government’s mixed messages and incompetence.

Once again, it is working families being failed by this government. It’s unacceptable. Saskatchewan deserves better.”

Official Opposition joins calls to protect rural ambulance services

REGINA – Today, Official Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat joined the Mayor of the Village of Glenavon Bill Sluser in calling on the provincial government to commit to providing funding to fill ambulance vacancies resulting in service disruptions to communities in Saskatchewan’s Southeast.  

“This is another example of how this government has completely sidelined the health and safety of rural residents. Thank God there hasn’t been a fatal accident. It shouldn’t take an avoidable fatality to convince this government to invest in rural healthcare,” said Mowat. “The people of this province expect essential health services like ambulances to be available when they need them the most.”

Wotherspoon asks for answers on impact of credit rating downgrade

Today, Official Opposition Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon wrote a letter to the Finance Minister demanding answers on the potential future costs facing Saskatchewan as a result of the latest downgrade of the province’s credit rating by Moody’s.

NDP: Saskatchewan Must Move Forward on Calls to Action from Truth and Reconciliation Commission as National Indigenous History Month Begins

REGINA - On the first day of National Indigenous History Month, NDP Leader Ryan Meili and Betty Nippi-Albright, Critic for Truth and Reconciliation & First Nations and Métis Relations, called on the Sask. Party government to act quickly on the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. It is a celebration of First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture, history and achievements,” said Meili. “This year, as we mourn the discovery of the bodies of 215 children at a former residential school in British Columbia, we stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and commit to turn our grief into action.”