Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili welcomed the new cabinet announced today by Premier Scott Moe and signalled that the NDP Team is ready to hold the government to account.
“New Democrats are ready to stand up for Saskatchewan families and put people first. This new cabinet comes into place at a challenging time for our province. Now is the time for real action and investment to reduce Covid-19 case numbers and ensure we do not need to go into a full lockdown.
"It is concerning that Donna Harpauer has remained as Finance Minister - and been promoted to Deputy Premier - despite her insistence on implementing ‘austerity’ over this term in government. Cuts and privatization will hurt families and our economic recovery. New Democrats have real concerns that Sask. Party austerity will leave the province without needed investments in health care, safe schools and jobs.
“Paul Merriman was roundly criticized by community groups during his time as Social Services Minister. We hope he has learned from that experience - and the failure of leadership displayed by his predecessor as Minister of Health - and will approach his new role with the care and concern it requires, especially during a pandemic.
“Importantly, this new cabinet does not reflect the Saskatchewan of 2020. Barely a quarter of the new cabinet is female, despite women making up more than half of our population. There are no cabinet ministers who identify as First Nations or Métis.
“It is not too late for this government to re-think its dangerous plan for cuts. Saskatchewan families have fought long and hard to protect each other, our families and the businesses that we rely on - and that rely on us. The pandemic is still with us and our commitment to fight for each other must continue as well. It is time to act now: With real investments that put people first."
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.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
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.