Layoff notices are being sent to CUPE members working at Regina Pioneer Village.

The long-term care home has been plagued over the past few years by mold and asbestos problems with residents now being moved into two private care homes in the Regina area.

CUPE is pinning the blame on the shoulders of the provincial government.

Local 5430 president Sandra Seitz suggested this is a direct result of the Sask. Party’s failure to address ageing infrastructure in the health care sector. She added the closure of Pioneer Village would have an impact on residents.

The provincial NDP said news of layoff notices being handed to staff shows how cuts to health care and the failure to invest in infrastructure are letting people down.

In a release, leader Ryan Meili stated the Sask. Party has known since 2014 that major repairs were needed at the facility, but instead of creating a plan, they allowed the facility to crumble around staff and residents.

Meili goes on to say that waiting until the situation reaches a crisis point and then pretending to fix it by shifting to costly private care options is not the kind of leadership that Saskatchewan people expect.