Letters: What has Sask. Party done for the last 17 years?

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We received the Saskatchewan Party brochure in which they trumpet retaining more doctors, nurses and teachers, with more funding for them and seniors. Their illogical explanation is that this is far better than 17 years ago, while they can’t keep all of the hospitals the NDP left us with in 2007 actually operating.

I just got a call from my doctor. He has finally decided he is retiring from the shambles that the Saskatchewan Party has gotten us into concerning our provincial medical care. Worse for me, he cannot find another family doctor to continue his practice.

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I wonder how many Saskatchewan Party MLAs are without a family doctor. Over the six years of Scott Moe, so many things gone downhill in our province. Of course the Saskatchewan Party can’t run on that record.
Which is why “since 2007” is mentioned so often in the brochure.

Lowest income taxes in Canada? With a PST on everything these days? Your booze? The six per cent PST was replaced with a 10 per cent liquor consumption tax. The more you consume, the more tax you pay. Say, that works just like a carbon tax.

Improving things for all Saskatchewan people since 2007 was the Saskatchewan Party’s main job — something at which they have failed miserably. But they certainly make sure their cronies wealthy, and they certainly blame everyone else for their reckless decisions.

For this election, they are still blaming the NDP of 17 years ago. What the hell has the Saskatchewan Party been doing for us since 2007?

Ewald Lammerding, Saskatoon

Moe government spurns evidence

Evidence is central to good policymaking. The Moe government, however, does not consider evidence in its decision-making. Here are four examples. The Saskatchewan government received only 18 letters before it invoked the notwithstanding clause and passed legislation regulating pronoun use in schools.

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In addressing the shockingly high deaths from overdoses, the government cut funding for the provision of pipes and demanded a one-for-one needle exchange even though 25 years of research overwhelmingly indicates that it is an ineffective approach and puts people who are at risk in harm’s way.

In August, the government announced it will be moving ahead with its $1.15-billion irrigation project, which will benefit just 50 farmers, without completing or releasing the results of a feasibility study.

Most recently, Moe announced that his first priority will be legislation that will enforce segregated bathrooms based on biological sex based on one incident. His first priority?

What about addressing major problems like access to health services, underfunding of public education, the growing numbers of homeless people, and the high rates of death from drug overdoses.

Moe’s government’s approach to policymaking can only be described as policy-driven evidence, or policies in search of a problem, or policies based on no evidence at all.

Lesley Biggs, Saskatoon

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Handicap parking passes hiked

I recently was at Saskatoon city hall to renew my accessible parking pass, which is currently $60 per year. I was informed that at renewal time next October, the cost will be $100! This is a significant increase, and will not be affordable for many people with handicap placards.

While I understand that the city’s coffers need to be filled, it shouldn’t be at the expense of those needing accessibility passes.

Diann Block, Saskatoon

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