Sask. Party responds to NDP’s safe summer measures during Question Period

The provincial NDP are calling on the province to support their plan for a safe Saskatchewan summer.

NDP leader Ryan Meili says they are calling for the PST to be waived on restaurant meals and live entertainment, as well as dropping provincial park gate fees.

During Question Period Thursday, Premier Scott Moe says there is no PST on live entertainment in Saskatchewan, adding the NDP couldn’t get basic research right.

“They can’t add up their platform during a campaign, they don’t know what their policies are about, (and) they don’t do the correct research,” Moe said. “Thankfully, in this province, we are going to assure the people of Saskatchewan — because of the efforts they have made in following the public health measures, going out and getting vaccinated — that we are going to have a good old-fashioned Saskatchewan summer.”

Meili responded by saying the Premier continues to dodge responsibility for his decisions during the pandemic, but Moe says the province is on the way out of COVID-19 through vaccination clinics across Saskatchewan.

Abortion private members bill debated

Status of Women critic Jennifer Bowes says the bill would allow for bubble zones to protect those seeking abortion services from intimidation and harassment.

Bowes says it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Sask. Party not support this bill.

“The former minister of Rural and Remote Health — whose job it was to ensure women had access to abortion (services) — told the Sask. Pro-Life Association that he would do everything he could in his professional capacity to advance their cause,” Bowes said. “The chair of the committee that oversees health in our province told the Canadian Press the opposes abortion wholeheartedly.”

However, Justice Minister Gord Wyant says the Sask. Party supports abortion rights, adding the bill was just tabled Wednesday.

“It’s incumbent on us to look at that Legislation, make sure that it’s Charter-compliant,” Wyant said. “We intend on looking at Legislation from other provinces, look at the opinions that have been provided with that Legislation.

Clearly, this government supports a woman’s right to access abortion services free of intimidation and free of harassment.”

Status of Women Minister Laura Ross says it’s unfair of the NDP to paint the entire Sask. Party with a broad brush, adding she will always stand up for women’s rights.

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