2020 was a year of seeing Saskatchewan people step up in remarkable ways and show what they’re made of, but there are lessons to be learned.
That from Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili, who says he saw people donating to organizations to help the most vulnerable, and people should be proud of everything they did during the pandemic, but also looking forward to where we need to do better in the province. Looking back at 2020, Meili says there were many people that were left out, and suggests there are big cracks in the education system and in health care . He wants to find ways to make sure the province is supporting people better, especially in long-term care where outbreaks and loss of life have occurred during the pandemic.
Meili says he wants to thank people in the province for stepping up to keep each other safe. He encourages people to be proud of that, and look forward to a new and different 2021. A time where he hopes people can be together more like we’re used to and enjoy what it is that makes up Saskatchewan’s incredible people and places.
COVID-19 Response
Meili says the holiday season was a lot harder than it needed due, because the SaskParty chose to wait and allow things to get to the situation the province is currently in with COVID-19. Meili says he would have liked to have seen the province take action in November, when the NDP had called for it. He suggests the opportunity was there to do an early circuit breaker response, with knowledge of what had happened in Alberta and Manitoba. Meili states in December with weeks and weeks of over 200 cases a day, over 100 people losing their lives, things did not go well. He believes the SaskParty could have done so much better, and what disappoints him the most, is the province didn’t act when he thinks they should have.
The Vaccine
Meili is calling the COVID-19 vaccine an exciting development. He says it’s an amazing scientific feat to go from identifying a new disease, to having something that can prevent it, being rolled out in under a year. Meili encourages people to learn about the vaccine and get ready to take it themselves. He says to ignore the misinformation and anyone who is trying to convince people to not use the vaccine. Add in that it’s ironic that the same people that are upset about lockdowns and masks are upset about the thing that will get people beyond those restrictions.
Meili recommends taking the vaccine seriously, but also to remember that it will take a while to get it to everyone.
He suggests the key message is the vaccine will prevent illness, but it won’t bring anyone back.
Meili says residents should not relax and let down their guard until they are able to do so safely.
2020 Election
Keeping his seat, and maintaining party seats during the provincial election was extremely important for NDP Leader Ryan Meili. Meili says the last few elections saw the NDP go into a leadership race right after and while that can create renewal it can be taxing on a party.
Meili says the ability to now build upon on their campaign is very important. Meili suggests doing that for the next four years, and having the opportunity to spend time in every part of Saskatchewan, listening to people and coming up with plans and building relationships, heading into the 2024 election is extremely important.
Looking Ahead to 2021
The NDP leader says he’s worried about the budget in 2021, which he predicts will inclue more cuts. Meili states that’s the wrong approach anytime, but especially now, during a pandemic, when the government needs to be investing in Saskatchewan. He will be pushing hard to make sure the government does not go down the road of cutting the things that he says keeps the province strong.
