REGINA - The opposition New Democrats were less than impressed by the 2023 Speech from the Throne from Premier Scott Moe’s government.
“When we look at the measures that were introduced, I think underwhelming is the word I mentioned to my colleagues,” said Leader of the Opposition Carla Beck.
In particular, Beck made it known she thought the Throne Speech hadn't lived up to Moe's previous pledges that it would address pressing issues such as housing and affordability.
Beck pointed to the Throne Speech's commitments such as for a reintroduction of a PST rebate that she said was cut in last year’s budget, as well as an incentive to invest in rental suites. She made it known she thought these items were not enough.
“The folks that we have been talking to, the people that have been reaching out, they’re having trouble with their bills right now," said Beck.
"They’re having trouble staying in the housing that they have. We have five times the mortgages in arrears right now and frankly, I expected the Throne Speech to contain something. And what we saw here… certainly doesn’t meet the hype that the Premier suggested ahead of this Throne Speech, and I don’t see anything here, and I’m even trying to be charitable, but nothing that’s going to address the cost of living issues that so many people are struggling with across the province.”
What was missing, she said, was “acknowledgement of the issues facing Saskatchewan people.”
Beck pointed to affordability and health care, and also pointed to a protest held in front of the legislature that same day by Saskatchewan Union of Nurses. They staged a rally in protest of what they called “inadequate action on nursing shortages that continue to grow unabated,” according to their news release.
“We had nurses on the front steps of the legislature today. They weren’t here because everything was going really well in healthcare.”
One of the issues highlighted by the NDP that day were the issues facing seniors in long term care. It was noted Parkview Villa and Princess Villa had announced their impending closure while a third home, Precious Memories Villa, gave families 72 hours’ notice on Friday to find new accommodations. Family members were also on hand raising the issue.
Beck pointed to that as another example of a lack of a plan.
“Again, I think it was a missed opportunity, a missed opportunity at the very least for the government to show understanding of the depth of the issues that are out there right now,” said Beck.
“I saw a lot of talk about Brad Wall’s record. I saw a lot about the government patting themselves on the back for capital investments, and frankly, no plan, and no vision. I don’t think you can even trust the Premier’s suggestion that he was going to have a plan for stability and housing. I don’t think we saw that today.”
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