The Saskatchewan NDP has given the government a deadline to respond to their proposals for a full budget and to recall the legislature.
In a letter from NDP House Leader Cathy Sproule to Government House Leader Jeremy Harrison, a date has been set for Tuesday, May 19.
NDP House Leader Cathy Sproule’s letter to Government House Leader Jeremy Harrison sent on Friday. (Image courtesy of Saskatchewan NDP)
Meili said there is no description from the government of what they intend to do, no timeline or even an answer for when they will hear of a plan.
“We need full debate of that budget before we go to the polls. That is the bare minimum of accountability that is expected from a Saskatchewan government and those are the rules of the assembly,” stated Meili.
This comes after a meeting that took place on Thursday between the house leaders where Meili noted nothing was presented by Minister Harrison after their proposals were sent.
He expanded by saying there was no description from the government of what they intend to do, no timeline or even an answer for when they will hear of a plan.
“This is becoming quite frustrating as we are simply trying to make sure that the assembly does its job, that we have the opportunity to debate and have the full answers about what’s going on,” added Meili.
“The fact that Mr. Moe refuses to have a meeting or any discussion on it is very disappointing.”
On Friday afternoon, Director of Communications Jim Billington provided a response from the government regarding the meeting between Sproule and Harrison:
“I can confirm that the house leaders had a positive meeting yesterday to discuss the NDP Opposition’s proposal for a resumption of legislative business.
As the Premier indicated on Wednesday, it is our government’s preference to resume legislative business under an amenable agreement on a modified schedule. To that end, Minister Harrison will be responding to MLA Sproule’s proposal next week. However, we do not intend to politicize these productive discussions by negotiating in public.
While the Leader of the Opposition seems fixated on returning to politics as usual, our government will remain focused on providing a comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including negotiating a reasonable resumption of legislative business in good faith.”
Concerns with Regina Pasqua Hospital case
Meili is also asking the government to be consistent when determining what is and what isn’t considered an outbreak.
He shared those thoughts following the province’s announcement on Thursday of a COVID-19 case in the Regina Pasqua Hospital involving an elderly patient.
Meili said if they are going to call it an outbreak where there is only one case like what happened in Meadow Lake, he feels it should be the same at other health centres.
“Hopefully we see no transmission to other health care workers or beyond.”
