NDP focuses almost exclusively on COVID-19 during short call session
Dec. 10 was the final sitting day of the short fall session of the newly-elected 29th Legislature. Here, the members rose for the arrival of the lieutenant-governor.Screen capture courtesy Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
By Brian Zinchuk, Local Journalism Initiative reporter, Estevan Mercury
Dec 10, 2020
Regina– The Saskatchewan Legislature rose on Dec. 10 after a short, 8-day session lasting two weeks. The session, the first one after the Oct. 26, was a chance for the Saskatchewan Party government to set its legislative agenda. Much of that revolved around its election platform promises, with the first bill focusing on the home renovation tax credit.
It was a session punctuated by social distancing. The chamber was never full. Plexiglass barriers were positioned between desks. In their speeches in response to the Speech from the Throne, members lamented the fact they now sit alone, and no longer have seatmates. And everyone wore a mask, from Lieutenant-Governor Russ Mirasty, the newly-elected Speaker Randy Weekes, to all the members. There were times when it seemed some members were a little winded, speaking with their usual gusto while wearing a mask.
Unsurprisingly, nearly all the questions in question period from the opposition New Democratic Party focused on the government’s response to COVID-19. New Democratic Party Leader Ryan Meili repeatedly asked for additional funds for a variety of different groups, from schools to more staffing for long-term care, to additional testing. He also pushed the government to do more to control the spread of COVID-19. Layoffs at Regina’s EVRAZ steel mill in excess of 500 were another source of questions. Towards the end of the session, NDP Leader Ryan Meili pointed out that if the government had followed the NDP’s idea of a three-week “circuit breaker,” which the NDP suggested three weeks ago, COVID-19 number may have gotten so bad.
Another frequent refrain came from Regina University MLA Aleana Young’s questions regarding what she called “the worst of both worlds.” The jobs, employment and small business critic noted businesses were being told they could stay open, but their clientele were being told they should stay home. Young gave birth to a daughter just days before the election. She frequently had her newborn with her in the chamber, who made nary a peep.
Saskatoon Fairview MLA Vicki Mowat, as critic for health, asked about COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.
Regina Elphinstone MLA Meara Conway focused on how social services have been affected by the pandemic.
Saskatoon Eastview MLA Matt Love focused on how long-term care centres have been affected, and asked about possible military aid for Saskatchewan in dealing with COVID-19.
Justice, Corrections and Policing Critic Nicole Sarauer, MLA for Regina Douglas Park, asked about COVID-19 in Saskatchewan jails, and how it went “so badly.”
First Nations and Metis Relations Critic Saskatoon Centre MLA Betty Nippi-Albright asked about tracking COVID-19 in First Nations people who live off-reserve.
In one of the few question period exchanges not related to COVID-19, Saskatoon Nutana MLA Erika Ritchie, environment critic, asked about Saskatchewan’s energy efficiency rankings.
Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette asked about government support for suicide prevention. He pointed out a private members bill he brought forward earlier in the year regarding a suicide prevention had not received support from government members at the time. He is the critic mental health and addictions
In a press conference at the conclusion of the session, Meili said, “This is our last day of the session, off to Christmas holidays here. I wanted to thank everyone for the work they’ve done covering a short but really important session; extremely serious issues that we’re dealing with right now with what’s going on in COVID-19. Here in Saskatchewan, the outbreaks in hot in hospitals and long term care, in our prison system. And, you know, I have been disappointed to see this government unable to display any humility; to admit that they haven’t got everything right. And that’s disappointing, because in order for them to change, in order for us to have a better path forward, that needs to happen. They need to stop campaigning, they need to start governing, and not downplay this, but make the serious efforts to keep people safe.”
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He added, “Clearly, this government’s position has not been getting COVID-19 under control. They’ve allowed this despite what the modeling said, they’ve allowed this to grow and grow without taking serious action. And, and here we are today. We’re living with the with the consequences already. And I’m extremely worried about what we’re going to see in the next week, in the next few weeks, as we see more and more patients in hospital, more outbreaks in long-term care. It’s a really disturbing situation.”