Legislative Report
(27 May 2009)

NDP Should Turn Over
Phony Memberships To The RCMP

Too many questions have gone unanswered about the Lingenfelter membership scandal, and now NDP leadership candidate Ryan Meili has called on his party to let the RCMP investigate. Meili joins fellow candidates Yens Pedersen and Deb Higgins in their scepticism regarding the explanation provided by Lingenfelter’s campaign regarding the scandal. Since the scandal broke weeks ago there have been allegations of fraud, identity theft, and breach of privacy concerning the 1,100 phoney memberships produced by Lingenfelter’s campaign. The NDP’s own report on the scandal failed to address any of these serious issues and never once contacted the ‘overexuberant’ volunteer who is supposedly responsible for the phony memberships. Current NDP leader Lorne Calvert has spoken about the need to address the scandal in a way that maintains the integrity of his party. However, Calvert and the NDP have so far resisted calls for a police investigation, casting doubt on whether they care about doing the right thing or keeping their integrity intact.

CREATING JOBS ACROSS SASKATCHEWAN

Your Saskatchewan Party government is taking action to improve Saskatchewan’s infrastructure, stimulate our economy and create jobs with a $71 million strategic investment into 61 projects across the province. The funding is a joint investment by the provincial and federal governments under the new Infrastructure Stimulus Fund announced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The federal $4-billion infrastructure fund provides funding to provincial and municipal infrastructure projects that will be built during this year’s and next year’s construction seasons. Saskatchewan will receive a joint federal-provincial investment of $160.2 million ($89.2M federal, $71.0M provincial) under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.

With municipal and other contributions, the overall investment could grow to more than $209 million. Projects being funded include several highway and local road improvements and wastewater initiatives. Our province is one of the first to provide the federal government with a list of ready-to-build projects because of our strategic approach to transportation infrastructure planning. Our government’s infrastructure plan includes a Five Year Capital Plan, a Rural Highway Strategy, a Preservation Resurfacing program; and a Bridge and Culvert program. This infrastructure investment will improve our quality of life and ensure Saskatchewan people continue to benefit from our economic strength, stability and growth.

$161 MILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Your Saskatchewan Party government is partnering with the federal government to improve the lives of families with $161 million to build new and renovate affordable housing units across the province. This follows on our government’s previous announcements which include $1 million for Habitat for Humanity to construct 20 new homes, the doubling of the Seniors Income Plan and $29.9 million in accelerated funding for affordable housing.

Over the last 18 months our government has also increased the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP), the Transitional Employment Program (TEA), the Provincial Training Allowance (PTA) and the Sask Rental Housing Supplement (SRHS) in response to the Task Force on Housing Affordability. This funding is part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which includes building new and renovating existing social housing across Canada. The federal contribution will be $84 million while our government is investing $77 million. This significant investment will build a better future for Saskatchewan families, seniors and persons with disabilities.

$76.9 MILLION FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES

Your Saskatchewan Party government is ensuring individuals with intellectual disabilities in Langenburg are benefiting from the province’s prosperity with a new group home. The new facility will allow those with disabilities to live safe, secure and meaningful lives right in their community. In addition, the funding for the Langenburg & District Activity Centre will provide a day program for five individuals with intellectual disabilities from the Community Living Division (CLD) wait list. In addition, private-service home providers will offer enhanced support and day programming standards are being updated to ensure that the appropriate level of support is provided to people with intellectual disabilities. The funding is part of our government’s $76.9 million announcement from last fall and represents the largest investment in Saskatchewan history to support people with intellectual disabilities.

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