Saskatchewan NDP demanding transparency, action on rising COVID-19 cases

The Saskatchewan NDP made an urgent call Thursday morning for the provincial government to take action to control the spread of COVID-19.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili said the province has seen a 500 per cent spike in new infections in the last 30 days, with hospitals “on the verge of being overwhelmed” after they’ve experienced a 600 per cent increase in admissions.

Meili demanded that Premier Scott Moe do two things.

First, release updated modelling data to show what the province is facing next in the pandemic. And second, consult neighbouring jurisdictions like Manitoba, Alberta and North Dakota on the measures they have taken in response to their second waves.

“They’re further down this trajectory than we are. What are the things that we can do now to reduce class sizes, to improve testing and tracing to prevent transmission? There are answers out there. We can look elsewhere,” Meili said.

Meili accused Moe and Health Minister Paul Merriman of playing politics by saying a second economic shutdown was off the table.

However, the government has made masks mandatory in the province’s three biggest cities. It has ordered nightclubs to shut down early and has capped the indoor gathering limit at 10.

When asked what else he would do, Meili said the mandatory mask order should be expanded to the rest of the province.

“Let’s staff up in health care (and) get testing working properly,” he said.

“Get enough people in there so we’re able to keep up with the testing need and demand. Let’s staff up in long-term care and acute care, so that we can get people the support they need.”

Penalties for breaking public health orders need to be enforced, Meili said, also taking aim at what he felt was Merriman’s tepid response to anti-mask protesters.

The party’s critic for economy and jobs, Aleana Young, said she has been hearing concern and frustration from small businesses that are still struggling even without a shutdown.

What they want, she said, is certainty on “thresholds” that would trigger government action.

“What we’re seeing right now is a complete lack of information, a complete lack of clarity and a complete lack of anything approaching a plan,” Young said.

Businesses, she said, need a strong holiday season but have been anxious with what they see as government inaction.

“Right now, with the numbers spiking, if we don’t get this right, it’s going to be a disaster for small businesses,” Young said.