In response to northern travel ban, NDP repeats call for immediate support for northern municipalities

In response to the Premier’s announcement banning non-critical travel to northern Saskatchewan because of a local outbreak of COVID-19, NDP Leader Ryan Meili said it’s now urgent for the Premier to work more closely with northern leaders to ensure clear protocols and protections for stopping the spread of COVID-19, and step up and provide direct financial assistance for northern communities, as the Opposition has been calling for.

“We have repeatedly called on the province to do more to address the unique challenges that make northern communities particularly vulnerable to COVID-19,” said Meili. “Their failure to act sooner has cost us valuable time. With COVID-19 now spreading in northern communities, it’s essential the province stops reacting and starts acting to get ahead of this virus.”

This is the fifth time this month that the Saskatchewan NDP has called on the government to do more to address the unique challenges facing northern and First Nations communities in the province. Previous calls this month came on April 3, April 7, April 20 and April 23.

NDP MLA for Athabasca Buckley Belanger voiced his frustration at the provincial government’s failure to take the concerns of northerners seriously.

"Northern people have been asking the province to protect us for weeks to keep the virus out of the north,” said Belanger. “Now that it's here, they’re finally imposing elevated restrictions to keep it from spreading south. Where are the measures we need to keep our communities safe and our people healthy?"

Latest posts

HOLIDAY MESSAGE TO SASKATCHEWAN FROM CARLA BECK

I want to wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year from everyone here at the Saskatchewan NDP Caucus.

NEW POLLING: SASKATCHEWAN FAMILIES STRUGGLING THE MOST WITH COST OF LIVING AS HOMELESSNESS SKYROCKETS

HOMELESSNESS DOUBLES IN REGINA, TRIPLES IN SASKATOON

REGINA – A new Angus Reid poll reveals Saskatchewan residents are struggling more than any other province with the cost–of–living crisis. Nearly half (45%) say they are worse off financially than last year, and 50% report difficulty feeding their families — the highest such rates of financial insecurity in Canada.

SENIOR SASK. PARTY MINISTER GUILTY OF BREAKING ETHICS LAW, EXPLOITS LOOPHOLE IN SECOND INVESTIGATION

SASKATCHEWAN NDP CALL FOR TOUGHER RULES FOR PROVINCIAL POLITICIANS

REGINA - Sask. Party Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill has been found guilty of breaking conflict of interest laws, and dodged accountability with a loophole in a second conflict-of-interest case.

SASK. PARTY BACKTRACKS ON PROMISE TO HELP TERMINALLY ILL WEYBURN ADVOCATE

Sask. Party says Fred is not sick enough for care, doctor has given him weeks to live

REGINA – After promising that the Ministry of Health would help a desperate Weyburn couple, the Sask. Party government has quietly withdrawn its support.