NDP Leader Ryan Meili is calling on the province to provide direct, immediate financial aid to Saskatchewan residents given that a number of people are facing lay-offs or reduced incomes due to COVID-19.

Meili says rather than creating various categories of people who will be eligible for financial aid, the province needs to prioritize speed with a far-reaching aid package.

The NDP leader adds that the plans released so far, leave too many people falling through the cracks.

Meili also says the decision to allow businesses to lay-off workers without notices or pay-in-leiu is going to hurt workers.

“Over 500,000 Canadians applied for EI last week, which will cause for delays for people in receiving benefits” said Meili, adding that “we cannot leave people without any money in their pockets in this crisis.”