The Saskatchewan New Democrats are focused on a number of issues as 2016 draws to a close.
The Global Transportation Hub land deal, privatization and environmental issues are all on the mind of interim Opposition leader Trent Wotherspoon, who pledged to continue to “stand up for Saskatchewan people” in his conference call with rural media outlets in December.
“It’s been a year of building for us as the Saskatchewan New Democrats, and about serving Saskatchewan people as the Opposition,” said Wotherspoon, who took over as interim leader shortly after the NDP’s provincial election defeat in April. Then Opposition leader Cam Broten lost his seat and resigned the NDP leadership after that vote.
“Obviously we came through a difficult election and our result, but you accept that,” said Wotherspoon.
“Our team of MLAs has been strong, reaching out across our province and rallying with Saskatchewan people, listening to Saskatchewan people in communities large and small, rural and urban and everywhere in between.”
What concerned Wotherspoon is the state of affairs in Saskatchewan at the moment.
“The fact of the matter is there is a lot at risk right now in the life of Saskatchewan people,” said Wotherspoon.
He accused the premier and his government of not being honest with Saskatchewan people. He pointed to the “financial mess” the Sask. Party created, and cited issues such as the questionable GTH land deal and also privatization, which he said the Sask. Party had pledged not to do.
“This is a government that didn’t come clean with Saskatchewan people in advance of an election, and frankly didn’t get the job done during the best years within this province.”
The year 2016 was a tough one for those along the North Saskatchewan River in the wake of the Husky oil spill this summer.
Wotherspoon made known his dissatisfaction with the province’s reaction. He called the government “weak in response to the actual oil spill itself,” and added, “really we didn’t see the urgency for the immediate cleanup required at the time of the incident.”
He called the Sask. Party “missing in action at a time when we needed their help during the cleanup effort.” And, to prevent spills in the future, Wotherspoon said regulation of pipelines needed to be strengthened, and he also wanted more inspection resources.
“We don’t feel you can simply push this off as a responsibility of the pipeline itself,” said Wotherspoon.
“We think that there is a responsibility, an independent responsibility to have oversight and inspection of those pipelines. And then we need the resources so that we know that those inspections are occurring at a frequency that are required and then we know the integrity of the pipes are in place.”
Another issue Wotherspoon expressed concern about was privatization.
The RFP process to privatize 40 existing liquor stores and open 12 new private stores has been completed, with Sobeys winning a number of bids including the one for the Battleford store.
“Now we see them being challenged and questioned by many about their process,” said Wotherspoon, pointing to concerns about reports of local co-ops not winning the bids, as well as one permit that was awarded and then cancelled after it was disclosed the local MLA was involved in the bid.
Wotherspoon was also vocal about the ongoing rumours of potential SaskTel privatization.
“It’s just so wrong for the premier to campaign and make the pledge that our Crowns aren’t for sale, and then shortly after an election break that promise,” said Wotherspoon.
He called SaskTel “a moneymaking, job-creating innovator” that is “critical to our economy” and provides great value.
“To put that at risk … angers so many across this province,” said Wotherspoon.
Wotherspoon also had something to say about the talks on the national framework agreement on climate change.
An agreement was reached and signed by the majority of provincial premiers, but without Premier Brad Wall signing on. The Opposition leader was unimpressed with Wall’s stance on the issue.
“It’s disappointing that we are in the spot that we are,” said Wotherspoon. “We have a premier that never acted in a meaningful way on climate change for the last number of years.”
In particular, Wotherspoon blasted the government’s $1.5 billion “carbon capture experiment” that he said was driving up costs for everyone in Saskatchewan.
“That’s the carbon capture tax that we can’t afford, because it’s paid directly by Saskatchewan people” said Wotherspoon, who said Wall should “cut the grandstanding” and get around to “rolling up his sleeves” to build a plan that works for Saskatchewan.
“Frankly, the premier’s inaction and his loud political grandstanding is putting Saskatchewan people and our economy at risk,” said Wotherspoon.
As for what 2017 holds for the NDP, Wotherspoon pledged “a continued effort to listen and reach out across Saskatchewan,” that would continue to seek accountability and propose “better ways forward.”
The party will ramp up preparations for a leadership vote slated for the spring of 2018. Wotherspoon indicated specific dates would be selected in the coming months.
As well, a byelection in the new year will be held in Saskatoon Meewasin to replace Saskatchewan Party MLA Roger Parent, who died in November.
“What a sad loss,” said Wotherspoon, who called Parent a “good person” who served his community “in many ways well beyond serving as an MLA. That kind of loss cuts across political divides. We stand together to mourn the loss of Roger.”
As for the planning of a byelection, Wotherspoon said the NDP would “go at this in an earnest way” and “work to earn the trust to serve.”
