During every single day of the Fall Sitting, the Opposition led off Question Period with a focus on lowering the cost of living.
During the Fall Sitting of the Legislature, the Saskatchewan NDP brought forward legislation on rent control, demanded an end to the downloading of costs to municipalities — a move that drives up property taxes — and repeatedly called for the removal of Sask. Party taxes on everything from groceries, clothing, and tires to the PST facing families rebuilding after devastating wildfires.
The Official Opposition demanded accountability for Scott Moe’s unprecedented mismanagement of the province’s finances, including just this week as it came to light that the Sask. Party had piled up a nearly $1-billion overspend at SaskPower, a decision that will undoubtedly drive up power rates paid by homeowners, business owners and farmers. And one that came with zero oversight on account of the government’s decision to hide Crown Investments Minister Jeremy Harrison from questioning.
“Saskatchewan people tell us every day they’re working harder and hard and falling farther behind,” said Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader. “We have the highest financial anxiety in the country — people are draining their savings, taking on another credit card and having to choose between home heating and eating — it’s unacceptable.
“My message to the people is this — we’re in your corner. We know you work so very hard and still you are struggling to get by. The Saskatchewan NDP hears you and we will fight tooth and nail to make your life more affordable.
The Official Opposition introduced a landmark bill to protect workers and their wages on Thursday — which the Sask. Party immediately moved to attack.
“It’s clear that Scott Moe is focused delivering for his friends and insiders — while hardworking people get nothing but tired 18-year-old talking points from a government that’s well past its best-before date,” said Nicole Sarauer, Saskatchewan NDP House Leader and Justice Shadow Minister.
“We’ve heard from working people who are putting in a full shift and then being forced to stop at the food bank on the way home — still, the Sask. Party claims life here is affordable. “That’s insulting and people deserve so much better.”
The Saskatchewan NDP proposed two pieces of legislation to end the crisis in healthcare, which is worse than ever. In contrast the Sask. Party ignored frontline workers and patients by imposing a dangerous new staffing policy on emergency rooms that will put lives at risk.
Healthcare workers, community leaders, and patients descended on the Legislature throughout the sitting to raise awareness on the horrific conditions in Saskatchewan hospitals, clinic closures, cockroaches in the maternity ward, the clunky $400 million AIMS program, and three-year wage freezes that are driving workers out of the province. Approximately 450 frontline healthcare workers signed their name to a historic and unprecedented open letter demanding emergency action to address horrific conditions and Royal University Hospital.
“While these bills focus on giving the public a clearer picture of the chaotic state of healthcare, we continue our broad consultation on big, bold solutions in healthcare to get Saskatchewan out of last place and tackle 18 years of neglect,” said Meara Conway, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Health Minister. “Our province is the birthplace of Medicare. We can get back to leading the country, but not with Scott Moe and his incompetent Ministers at the helm.”
The state of rural healthcare is not the only sign this government continues to take rural Saskatchewan for granted. Producers are experiencing the same neglect as those who feed our province are left without the support and leadership they urgently need.
The Saskatchewan NDP hosted agricultural producers from across Saskatchewan concerned about extreme drought, illegal foreign farmland ownership, and illegal drainage. The Sask. Party ignored their calls to action.
In contrast, the Sask. Party ignored them as well as calls from firefighters and wildfire victims for a real provincial wildfire strategy and an independent public inquiry into the government's wildfire mismanagement.
“The North will rebuild because the people living there are incredible, and they will do it despite Scott Moe abandoning them,” Beck said.
“The Sask. Party has forgotten the people it was elected to serve — it’s time to change the government, plain and simple.
“The Saskatchewan NDP is ready to do the hard work and we will fight day and night to build a bright future for every person that calls this incredible province home.”
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