NORTHERN COUNCILLORS SAY CRIME, DRUG CRISIS OVERWHELMING SASKATCHEWAN COMMUNITIES

Sask. Party Mental Health & Addictions Minister Hides Evidence Of Failure To Save Lives

REGINA – The Saskatchewan NDP is standing with councillors from the North to demand action to fight crime and the drug crisis, improve public safety and get people the lifesaving treatment they need.

On Wednesday, Saskatchewan NDP First Nations & Metis Relations Shadow Minister Leroy Laliberte was joined by Roy Sean Cheecham, a Councillor from Clearwater River Dene Nation, and Trevor Moberly, a Councillor from Birch Narrows, to plea for help.

‎

“People don’t feel safe in their own communities after 18 years of this Sask. Party government,” Laliberte said. “They talk a big game about getting tough on crime but there is evidence everywhere that their plan has failed — Saskatchewan’s severe crime rate is double the national average.

‎

“We know that criminals are flooding our communities with dangerous drugs and nearly a person a day is dying of overdose or poisoning. Often, the victims are kids — they are our future and this government has failed them so badly.”

‎

“While companies seeking to develop resources on our traditional territories are welcomed with open arms, major investments, and swift approvals, our communities are still asked to wait decades for basic services, health care, long-term care for our Elders, and reliable emergency response,” he said.

‎

“We’re not asking for charity or salvation. We’re here to raise longstanding shortfalls so that together — respectfully, collaboratively — we can build real solutions that keep our families safe, healthy, and supported on the lands we’ve always called home.

‎

“This is about fairness. This is about dignity. And this is about ensuring that northern and Indigenous communities are finally given the same urgency, priority, and respect that every other community in this province expects and deserves.”

‎

Last week, Laliberte addressed the Meadow Lake Tribal Council about the crime and drug crisis. He reinforced the need for funding more police and improve lifesaving addictions supports — in recent weeks, the Sask. Party hasn’t even been able to specify how many people trying to get their lives back were stuck on waitlists for treatment.

‎

“The Minister is either incompetent or a liar, or both,” Laliberte said. “She is either trying to hide evidence of failure after 18 years of this government or she actually doesn’t know how many people have turned to the very facilities she’s responsible for to get help.

‎

“The Sask. Party got us into this mess and they can’t be trusted to get us out of it.”

‎

-30-

Latest posts

KEVIN WEEDMARK REFUNDS TAXPAYERS FOR JOURNALISM GRANT HIS PAPER RECEIVED

KEVIN WEEDMARK REFUNDS TAXPAYERS FOR JOURNALISM GRANT HIS PAPER RECEIVED The Moosomin-Montmartre MLA Continues Hiding From Media As Questions Grow

REGINA – Today, more questions about embattled MLA Kevin Weedmark have been raised following the release of an article from Grasslands News about his privately owned and operated newspaper, The World Spectator.

BRIGHTON RESIDENTS LEFT IN THE DARK: CARLA BECK'S TEAM CALLS OUT MLA KEN CHEVELDAYOFF OVER PHANTOM SCHOOLS

SASKATOON— Carla Beck's team, joined by local Brighton resident Dr. Sarah Chomicki, is calling on Scott Moe to fulfill his government's broken promises and immediately get to work on a neighborhood school for the rapidly growing community of Brighton.

NEW DATA SHOWS THAT SASKATCHEWAN HAS THE HIGHEST CHILD FOOD BANK USAGE IN CANADA

Beck Commits To School Nutrition Program, Doing All She Can To End Child Poverty
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is sounding the alarms on new data showing more children in Saskatchewan are forced to rely on the food bank than anywhere else in Canada.

CARLA BECK GOVERNMENT WOULD RESTORE DIRECT-TO-LANDLORD RENT PAYMENTS AS MOOSE JAW FACES RISING HOMELESSNESS

More Affordable Housing, Rent Control Also Part Of Plan Being Developed By Beck’s Team
MOOSE JAW – Carla Beck’s team is in Moose Jaw today committing that, should they form the next provincial government, her team will restore direct-to-landlord rent payments for Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) clients.

NDP Caucus Office