(Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Cost of Living

NDP’s Meili slams Sask. Party record on affordability

Oct 6, 2020 | 5:29 PM

The leader of the New Democrats Ryan Meili repeated promises aimed at making life more affordable, and took aim at the Sask. Party at a campaign stop in Prince Albert Tuesday.

“We know, in Saskatchewan, the cost of living has continued to rise, but the wages just haven’t gone up,” Meili told reporters in front of Prince Albert city hall. “Life has gotten more expensive under Scott Moe.”

Meili cited that household power bills have gone up by 57 per cent since 2007, while PST has also increased and Saskatchewan continues to have the lowest minimum wage in Canada. Families are also paying more for health care fees, school fees and prescription drugs, he said.

“It’s a clear choice between a government that’s going to go down the road of more cuts, more privatization, and more rate hikes,” Meili said. “And our government that’s committed to investing and putting people first.”

Specifically, Meili highlighted campaign promises for a $15/hour minimum wage and $25/day childcare. The NDP has also committed to reducing auto insurance premiums by $85 and providing a rebate of $100 for every vehicle insured through SGI.

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The NDP also plans to add 8,800 childcare spaces over the course of four years at cost of $200 million.

The party will release a fully-costed platform “in the days ahead,” Meili said.

Responding to questions about what critics view as reckless spending, Meili maintained the investments were necessary and would save money in the long run.

“It costs us so much more down the road if we don’t make wise choices today,” he said. “And that’s what worries me so much about Scott Moe’s plan of austerity.”

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom