REGINA - In light of mounting distress about the upcoming school year and evidence Saskatchewan is entering the fourth wave of the pandemic, Official Opposition Critic for Education Carla Beck today called for mandatory vaccination for school staff and a real plan to keep kids safe.
Saskatchewan currently leads the country in COVID-19 test positivity rates, has the lowest first and second dose vaccination rates in the nation and has seen a doubling of active cases in just the last two weeks. Meanwhile, the Sask. Party’s current back-to-school plan is to “proceed as during pre-pandemic years.”
“The COVID-19 situation in our province is light years from pre-pandemic years. To be two weeks before kids are back in classrooms and have the premier, the health minister and the education minister missing in action isn’t just irresponsible, it’s dangerous” said Beck. “Climbing case rates in school-aged children signal the coming school year could be lethal. We need urgent action now.”
Beck called for a comprehensive return-to-school plan that includes:
“It is absolute madness to have no plan. No contingencies for outbreaks, no plan for rapid testing, no guidance on isolating if a child or teacher gets sick,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “There is so much anxiety out there, but Scott Moe is completely missing in action. Our premier’s truancy has failed everyone.”
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Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
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REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.