Saskatchewan needs a government that cares about working people

SASKATOON – Everyone should benefit from the province’s economic growth and have a government that cares about working people, NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter said today.


Speaking as an invited guest of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour at its convention in Saskatoon, Lingenfelter said the NDP is committed to fair policies for workers and employers, affordable programs and services such as childcare and an economy that benefits everyone.


“All working people will benefit from the NDP’s plans for affordability for families,” said Lingenfelter. “With 10,000 new childcare spaces, working parents will be able to find accessible childcare. With a freeze on tuition, working families will be able to afford to send their kids to one of our excellent universities or SIAST institutions.”


Lingenfelter announced at the SFL convention the NDP is committed to raise the minimum wage. He said an NDP government will increase the minimum wage to $10.50 an hour, effective March 1, 2012. Once the minimum wage is established, Lingenfelter said it will be annually indexed to the cost of living to provide both employees and business people certainty in their personal and financial planning.


Lingenfelter said the NDP believes Saskatchewan needs to restore fair and balanced labour legislation, after the Saskatchewan Party introduced bills that hurt workers. The International Labour Organization, a component of the United Nations, has condemned the Sask Party legislation.


Lingenfelter said the NDP will:

- Repeal Bills 5, 6 and 80 which unbalance the province’s laws.

- Repeal the changes of Bill 43, which threatens the rights of citizens to demonstrate or rally.

Lingenfelter said working people concerned about more jobs in the economy will see a significant push for more small business jobs by eliminating the small business tax as well as ushering in growth in the new green jobs sector by building clean, renewable electricity and retrofitting homes.

“I’m proud our plan will deliver government that cares for all working people and their families. Let’s elect an NDP Government to bring positive change to Saskatchewan.”