Saskatchewan Minute: Issue 59

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

📅 This Week In Saskatchewan: 📅

• Saskatchewan’s NDP has introduced Bill 604, the "Keep Saskatchewan in Canada Act," which would make it significantly harder to hold a referendum on provincial separation. The bill proposes increasing the threshold for citizen-initiated plebiscites from 15% to 30% of the electorate - raising the required signatures from about 124,000 to nearly 249,000. It would also bar the government, legislature, or lieutenant-governor from unilaterally calling a referendum on secession. NDP Leader Carla Beck argues the bill is intended to safeguard economic stability, prevent capital flight, and avoid unnecessary political uncertainty. The government criticized the bill as undemocratic, with Premier Scott Moe accusing the NDP of trying to silence voters. Beck argued that the bill’s focus is solely on separation and not intended to block democratic input more broadly. The legislation follows Alberta’s recent move to ease rules around referendums.
  
  
• During the 2024 Saskatchewan election campaign, the NDP narrowly outspent the Saskatchewan Party, reporting just over $1.04 million in expenses compared to the Sask. Party's $1.03 million. While the NDP spent significantly more on services like polling and staff accommodations, the Sask. Party directed most of its funds toward advertising. Notable NDP expenses included over $175,000 on surveys and $47,000 for hotel rooms, while the Sask. Party spent about $184,000 on digital ads and $130,000 on TV commercials. The NDP also paid for vehicle repairs after campaign incidents, including one case of vandalism. Meanwhile, the Sask. Party paid $123,000 to a texting service provider and another $376,000 on general services. Smaller parties like Saskatchewan United and the Buffalo Party reported minimal spending, with the former logging around $12,786 and the latter just over $4,000. Three other parties - Progressive Conservative, Green, and Progress - reported no campaign spending at all.
  
  
• Saskatchewan's government has reported losses of approximately $31,000 in public funds after three employees allegedly misused corporate credit cards and tampered with invoices for personal gain. One SaskPower employee is accused of spending over $23,000 on non-business expenses and has been let go, with the requirement to repay the funds. A second SaskPower employee spent more than $3,000 for personal expenses and has been placed on leave while an investigation is ongoing. The third case involves a manager at the Prince Albert Housing Authority who altered invoices for personal reimbursement exceeding $5,000, leading to their termination and the involvement of police.
  
  
• The Province has launched a new online therapy course for new and expecting parents experiencing mental health challenges, such as anxiety or depression, during and after pregnancy. The course, part of the University of Regina’s online therapy unit, is an expansion of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) aimed at addressing mental and chronic health issues. The Province has allocated $380,000 for the new course and over $1.6 million to support the ICBT program. Feedback from early participants has been positive, with many reporting reduced stress and improved communication with their partners. The course includes educational modules supported by therapists, with a focus on postpartum and non-birthing parents. The Province is also increasing funding for HealthLine 811 and introducing a maternal mental health coordinator to further support parents in need.
  
  
• The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has released its annual list of the 10 worst roads in Saskatchewan, based on feedback from drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Crumbling pavements, potholes, poor maintenance, and inadequate signage were the main factors behind the selections. Roads like Saskatchewan 5 in Buchanan, Saskatchewan 339 in Avonlea, and 5th Avenue NW in Moose Jaw are among the worst, with potholes being a common issue. The harsh Saskatchewan climate, particularly the freeze-thaw cycle, exacerbates road deterioration, leading to dangerous conditions. CAA described the roads as so rough that you could bring milk and a scoop of ice cream, and at the end of the trip you'd have a milkshake.
  
  
• As Saskatchewan enters its wildfire season, public safety officials are urging residents to exercise caution to prevent accidental fires. Due to dry and hot conditions, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has raised the provincial fire risk level to "high or extreme." As of Friday, there were 21 active wildfires in the province, and 135 wildfires recorded in total for the year. In response, the SPSA has imposed a fire ban in most of northern Saskatchewan, covering all provincial parks and recreational areas. The ban, one of 168 across the province, prohibits open fires, controlled fires, and fireworks in high-risk areas. Violating a fire ban can result in severe penalties, including fines up to $500,000 and jail time. The SPSA hopes that spring rains will ease the situation, but until then, the bans remain in place to reduce the likelihood of human-caused wildfires.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Time is running out to have your say - our Saskatchewan's Future survey is closing soon!

We launched this survey to hear directly from you in the aftermath of the election. We want to know how you’re feeling, what concerns you most, and what you think Saskatchewan should do next. 

This is your chance to help shape Saskatchewan's future. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey before it closes: 

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!