Saskatchewan Minute: Accessibility Committee, 2024 Reflections, and a Final Fundraising Appeal

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• Happy New Year from all of us at the Saskatchewan Institute! Looking back on the past year, we’re so thankful for the incredible support and encouragement from you - our amazing supporters. Your commitment to our mission and generous contributions have powered our efforts to begin driving real change across the province. Here’s to making a difference in 2025!
  
  
• As we head into the new year, we’re working toward a big goal - raising $10,000 by midnight on December 31st. The exciting part? We’ve got a matching donor, so your gift will go twice as far! If you’re able, please consider contributing to our year-end fundraiser and help us kick off the new year strong.
  
  
• The Province’s Accessibility Committee is addressing issues affecting people with disabilities. According to the Committee, one in three people in Saskatchewan has a disability, representing around 300,000 individuals. The Committee has made strides, such as improving accessibility in provincial parks, but challenges remain, such as cost and logistics affecting projects.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• In a year-end interview, Premier Scott Moe reflected on his party's victory in the 2024 election, and acknowledged the need for his government to improve on issues such as healthcare, education, and community safety. Despite securing a fifth consecutive majority, Moe recognized that some voters who had supported his party in the past did not do so this time, and emphasized the importance of focusing on tangible outcomes for Saskatchewan families. He highlighted his government's commitment to ensuring access to primary healthcare and addressing a backlog of surgeries.
  
  
• Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck also gave a year-end interview. She said she is focused on strengthening her party's role as the official Opposition following their significant gains in the 2024 election, where they doubled their seat count to 27. Beck emphasized the importance of utilizing every available tool, such as appointing shadow ministers, to hold the government accountable and propose solutions to key issues. While acknowledging the importance of relief measures, she expressed frustration that the government is not responding quickly enough to the struggles of Saskatchewan residents. Beck remains committed to positioning the NDP as a "government in waiting," aiming to continue building momentum in 2025.
  
  
• Saskatchewan’s rental market remains tight, with rents rising in urban and suburban areas due to high demand. In November, Saskatchewan experienced a significant 12.1% increase in rental prices compared to the previous year. This contrasts with the national trend, as Canada saw a slight decrease of 1.6% in average rent prices in November.