LATEST ARTICLES

Moe government behind the curve & playing ‘catch up”

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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Moe government behind the curve & playing ‘catch up”

On so many fronts, the Scott Moe government is failing the people of Saskatchewan. Even when it looks like it is doing the right thing, it is too little, too late.

For over two years, I brought attention to the desperate state of Seniors who rely on the Personal Care Home Benefit (PCHB).  FINALLY, in the March 2023 Budget, the PCHB was raised from a cap of $2000 to $2400. But by that time, inflation had already eaten up any gains and many Seniors are still unable to pay the cost of a private care home. One wonders if that is one of the reasons several private care homes in Regina and Saskatoon announced closures last month.

This summer, because of pressure brought by outraged parents’ groups and myself, the government announced it would ‘pause’ sexual education programs delivered by Planned Parenthood and embedding the ARC Foundation’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) program into all curriculum. But did the government even know its own bureaucrats were already in discussion on how to roll out these programs into Saskatchewan schools?

I had already been raising the issues of falling grades, lack of adequate student assessments, and inaccessibility of school administrations and school boards to parents. In some school districts this is at a crisis level and only now, has this government started to open its eyes.

This government is asleep at the wheel while the federal government infiltrates our Rural Municipalities with United Nations inspired programs that force producers to report on every aspect of their property down to the last chicken. Rural people are now forming groups, trying to hold their RM Councils to account while it should have been the province scrutinizing the harms. This Scott Moe government has not even begun to address the firestorm that is brewing on this front.

In a few short years, our health care, once admired by the rest of Canada, is now in shambles. Too late to help anyone today, this government knee-jerks into action, finally announcing more local training seats to supplement their medical personnel poaching program in the Phillipines. We should have been training more of our own people earlier to meet the demands we knew were coming with an aging population.

A similar situation occurred last year with the Veterinarian shortage facing the Prince Albert area. I wrote to the government in support of expanded training and to make our region eligible for the Loan Forgiveness Program. After I published the letter in support of a lobby by a local Veterinary clinic, the government complied.

In recent days, many Saskatchewan people are quite happy that Premier Moe has challenged the federal government to take the Carbon Tax from natural gas or else his government will stop collecting it in January of 2024. But why the wait for January? Why not now?

Premier Scott Moe has neglected to say why he has put a delay on his threat. By January, Saskatchewan residents will already have paid bills with Carbon Tax they cannot afford today. And what about Saskatchewan people who heat with electricity, or propane? Too little. Too late.

Because this government refused to listen to constituents across the province, it was blindsided on all of these issues and many more such as skyrocketing crime and mental health and addictions.

Scott Moe needs to get ahead of the curve and stop playing ‘catch up’.

A Season and Time to Every Purpose

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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A Season and Time to Every Purpose

As this stretch of autumn continues to give us glorious weather, we are inclined and inspired to spend time in reflection. 

I recently spent time with family hiking the Kristi Lake Nature Trail, a fabulous example of a treasure in my Saskatchewan Rivers constituency. In just an hour, we were able to explore the four different ecosystems in the Boreal Forest on this interpretive hiking Trail. It was a perfect day. 

In our region, producers are harvesting a bumper crop, with reports of even 100 bushels per acre. Not so long ago, 40 bushels per acre was considered a great crop. This years bounty has truly been a blessing.

With Thanksgiving approaching we are reminded of all the blessings God has given us. We are thankful for families, our traditions and our Saskatchewan way of life.

This time of year we tend to equate food with fellowship and love of family, demonstrated by the many annual Fowl Suppers that will soon pop up throughout the province. I encourage everyone to take time to enjoy one of these, where friends and neighbours get together to nourish body and soul before the onset of a prairie winter.

These are the times where we realize that strength of community is founded on a culture of caring for each other. It is a privilege and a blessing to be able to celebrate and rest, assured that we have worked hard to secure our future.

Just as we work hard in our personal lives and in our communities to prepare for the future, we expect the same from our leaders. Sadly the confidence we used to have in our leadership has been shaken in recent years at all levels of government and even in many of the boards and institutions so vital to the systems our society relies on.

Despite that, the resilience of Saskatchewan people means we have not lost hope. Instead, people all over the province are working hard to hold their elected officials to account, making clear what the priorities are on many issues, and what direction they want government to take.

We have a strong expectation for our leaders to demonstrate integrity and transparency in their governing. Regrettably, these traits are in short supply. It is our responsibility to set the tone and remove those from leadership that have broken our trust. In Saskatchewan, we the people have the final say.

As we embrace the change of one season to another, my hope is that the values of compassion, unity and resilience upon which we have built this amazing province will be strengthened. We need all voices and fresh ideas to bring wisdom to the healing and advancement of our province. In unity, we can rebuild or where necessary, even re-invent the systems that once served us so well in our province.

Nadine Wilson is the Saskatchewan United Party MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers.

MLA Report for Saskatchewan Rivers

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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MLA Report for Saskatchewan Rivers

Rural residents of Saskatchewan are facing a crisis when it comes to home heating. Those currently using oil or propane have seen the costs more than double due to inflation and carbon taxes. While the province can rightly point the finger at the federal government for causing most of this, Premier Scott Moe’s government has done nothing to assist those who need help to mitigate against it.

As a result, in mid-summer, I have been fielding calls from these residents who know that once winter hits, they will face crippling heating costs. On their behalf, I have written the following letter to the Minister of Crown Corporations, the Honourable Don Morgan.  If this government has any compassion left at all, it must create solutions to assist our rural residents.

July 24, 2023

Dear Minister Morgan,

Over the past two years I have received numerous calls from rural residents as to the extraordinary costs being quoted by SaskEnergy, to connect rural properties to natural gas lines. Residents are looking to this option due to the skyrocketing costs of oil, propane and electric heat. It is not unusual to be quoted $80,000 or more.

Often, there are multiple property owners in the same area that want to connect. Logically, SaskEnergy could allow the cost to service an area to be shared amoung property owners, but from the information I have received, each property owner is given a quote to service only their property, with no option for cost-share.

Additionally, SaskEnergy does not allow for any type of installment payments. The service must be paid in full immediately.

As a Crown Corporation, SaskEnergy is owned by the people and it should be finding ways to help citizens who have found themselves at the mercy of inflationary circumstance. Many of the affected residents are seniors, people who spent their lifetimes building our province and are now on fixed incomes. The exorbitant costs to just heat their homes is forcing some to leave their lifelong homes for more affordable options.

I urge you, as Minister responsible for SaskEnergy, to direct this Crown to investigate how to provide natural gas service to rural residents in a manner that is within financial reach of these property owners. Cost-sharing and installment plans should be considered as options.

This is an opportunity for the government to effectively serve these citizens by having the Crowns work for the people, not against them.

Sincerely,

Nadine Wilson MLA

Constituency of Saskatchewan Rivers

Nadine Wilson is the Saskatchewan United Party MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers.

MLA Report: Saskatchewan Rivers

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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MLA Report: Saskatchewan Rivers

Any trust parents may have had in Saskatchewan’s education system has been shaken to its core.

In Lumsden recently, Grade Nine students had access to explicit ‘flashcards’ describing sexual fetishes that most adults had never even heard of. This was passed off as sexual health instruction. The cards were brought in by Planned Parenthood, which is unrepentant about the content. Parents only found out because a student told their parents about it.

No parent was informed or asked for consent about the content. Some on social media have even vilified the student for ‘taking’ the cards, which reportedly, were on a table as a resource. Others postulated that since this information is ‘on the internet’, it doesn’t matter if students are exposed to it at school.

It DOES matter.

The assumption that all students will and should receive ‘how to’ instruction about those practices is outrageous. This ‘we know better than you’ attitude is on full display not only by Planned Parenthood, but by the school boards and administrations that have created a culture that allows this.

Many teachers have indicated that they are extremely uncomfortable about the agenda driven indoctrination that is going on in the schools. They have no support, and fear reprisals if they speak out including losing their jobs.

The bottom line is parents have a reasonable expectation that their children won’t be exposed to controversial information without their consent. Every fall, parents entrust their most precious gift, their children, to the school system, believing that they will learn what they need to succeed in life in age-appropriate ways. Now parents are fearful that certain agendas have hijacked the system.

Getting answers isn’t easy. In my own constituency, a school with approximately 230 children had parents demanding a meeting with the division to address alleged extreme bullying, assaults and sexual assaults that occurred in or near the school. When a meeting was finally granted, approximately 100 parents attended. Most left frustrated because the actual incidents could not be candidly discussed due to privacy constraints. Neither could the administration promise that their children would be safe in school the next day, because of process. One of the main issues identified was the lack of communication by the school to parents, regarding the incidents and safety risks to students.

To rebuild trust in our system will take extra measures, particularly in communication.

I would ask parents, do you believe it should become mandatory that all resource materials to be used in a classroom, be made available for parental review BEFORE it is presented? This could be a simple as posting them to the school’s website or emailing to parents. Please let me know your thoughts on this idea.

Prior to the Lumsden incident, I have been reviewing the official government policy* on Gender and Sexual Diversity because of inquiries regarding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI). (www.sogieducation.org) Parents have been asking me if it is already integrated in Saskatchewan schools. Of note, SOGI is not just presented as a sexual health class, but is a taught philosophy integrated into all aspects of the school environment.

As a provincial community, it is time to have frank, open discussion on what is acceptable curriculum and how to ensure parents have the right to influence and scrutinize that curriculum. Let me know what you think by emailing me at saskrivers@sasktel.ca or call 306-763-0615.

Nadine Wilson is the United Party MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers.

MLA Report: government overreach still a concern

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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MLA Report: government overreach still a concern

MLA Saskatchewan Rivers

May 18th was the final day of session at the Legislative Assembly. As MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers, I raised numerous emerging issues in the house, including some of which the government appeared to not be aware of.

For instance, many rural constituents have become increasingly concerned about government overreach into Community Plans that seem to force federal sustainability goals upon Rural Municipalities. This is paired with concern about federal creep into provincial perviews.

As an example, in March it was announced that the provincial policy school Johnson Shoyama, was awarded $1.75 million through the universities of Regina and Saskatoon, “to strengthen the capacity of municipal governments to move towards a net zero future.” The funding comes from Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre.

The concern is that this is a backhanded way for the federal government to impose its preferred policies on how farmers should farm by bypassing the province and implement them through Rural Municipalities. Taking it a step further, as noted on the Johnson Shoyama website, the desired outcomes track back to the United Nations sustainable development goals as cited here: “Sustainability and Underserved Populations will discuss sustainability development, the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, and their importance for municipalities.” (See Project Outcomes – Information Resources for Municipal Governments tab.)

Not everyone is in agreement with those goals. So much so, It appears the informational meetings that Johnson Shoyama had planned through April and May had to be severely modified due to public pushback. This is definitely an area where the Saskatchewan government needs to clarity if it is safeguarding the agriculture industry or if it will once again, let the UN inspired federal government have its way.

On that vein, I also asked the Moe government to explain why, if it is pursuing autonomy for Saskatchewan, almost every new program it announces, has federal funding with strings attached.

Additionally, Education arose as a top priority for Saskatchewan parents & teachers. I have been asking the government what it will do to facilitate improvement in literacy and math outcomes for students and to explain the lack of consultation with parents in the government’s new education plan.

This government is also demonstrating a pattern of catering to international business at the expense of small and local business owners which are struggling as a result of red tape and bureaucratic overreach. As a province, these businesses are the lifeblood of our society and they are being shut out at our peril.

This government needs to remember they were elected to serve you, the voter. With that comes the responsibility of truly listening.

Nadine Wilson is the Saskatchewan United Party MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers.

MLA Report: Saskatchewan Rivers

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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MLA Report: Saskatchewan Rivers

Imagine if you will, a Saskatchewan where every provincial decision must first comply with rules crafted by the Government of Canada.

We saw this very scenario recently when the Minister of Health stated he was ‘BLINDSIDED” by the federal government’s claw back of $750,000, just days after negotiating a health care deal. The Trudeau government used the excuse that Saskatchewan’s MRI program does not comply with the fed’s model of health care.

It’s never been a secret that the federal government does not like our solution to shortening the waitlist for MRIs. We have known this since the day it started. Armed with that knowledge, why didn’t this government negotiate a clause in the health agreement that we would not be penalized for our made-in-Saskatchewan MRI program?

In another recent example, the province giddily proclaimed as its own, the $10.00 a day Childcare Program, which is heavily funded by the federal government. Almost immediately it backfired. Childcare facility owners found themselves having to cut spaces for certain clients in order to take on new clients that would be in compliance with the program.

When I asked the government in the house why almost every announcement they make is in partnership with the federal government, the Finance Minister admitted that there are numerous programs with federal ‘strings attached’, including in health care, agriculture, infrastructure, housing, mental health and more.

It might have been advantageous to make deals with the feds not so long ago. But with this federal government, alarm bells should be ringing. The latest telegraphing moment by Attorney General David Lametti committing to ‘look into’ rescinding provincial responsibility over resources is yet another symptom.

So, while the province is chasing carrots of freshly printed federal dollars, it must relinquish authority of how that money is spent, essentially creating ‘central governance by proxy’.

Surely by now the provincial ministers know that this federal government has an agenda that has no qualms about running roughshod over the people of Canada, and in particular, the people of Western Canada.

In recent weeks, farmers attending town hall meetings are questioning the expansion now underway of the Premises Identification (PID) program. This is a federal program implemented by the province with a goal to track every livestock animal (including rabbits), no matter what the size or scale of the property. Even tiny hobby farms are caught in this net. In fact, it is the government that decides how many animals you are allowed to keep. The rational centers around disease tracking or if an emergency is declared.

After the events of the last few years, trust in government by the people is at an all time low. The bar has been set extremely low as to what the threshold for an emergency is. No one really knows as it is not well defined. Under this federal government, an emergency could be any pretense that hurts the economy. People just don’t trust government not to abuse the authority entrusted to them.

In Saskatchewan, part of that mistrust was formed when we witnessed Premier Moe completely reverse his stated position after meeting with the Prime Minister. It’s almost as though when it comes to Saskatchewan sovereignty, Premier Moe is playing checkers while the feds are playing 3-D chess.

The people of Saskatchewan need this provincial government to connect the dots, figure out the end game and protect our lifestyle and heritage.

MLA Report: Saskatchewan Rivers

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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MLA Report: Saskatchewan Rivers

The Power of Your Voice

Nadine Wilson MLA
Saskatchewan Rivers Constituency

Early last year, I was contacted by several people who made me aware of funding gaps being experienced by many Saskatchewan Seniors needing private care homes.

As I investigated their concerns, it became clear that the Personal Care Home Benefit was woefully inadequate. The Benefit was subsidizing Senior’s incomes to a maximum of $2,000/mo. However, at that time, the average rate for a care home spot was $2,800/mo. In addition, residents are also responsible for incidental personal care items and often, transportation.

I discovered that because of the income shortfall, many Seniors could not access the care they need.

The government failed to address that shortfall in its 2022-23 budget, so I wrote to the government and in particular, the Minister of Social Services, to show how Seniors were falling through the cracks. I requested that the subsidy be increased to a maximum of $3,000/mo to better reflect these inflationary times.

When I followed up with direct questions in the house, Minister Makowsky at first seemed unaware that there was a problem. As I continued to raise this concern in last fall’s session, his response was that the ministry was now aware, and looking at the issue. Finally, in this year’s budget, the Personal Care Home Benefit was raised to $2,400/mo. It’s not what is needed, but is an improvement.

So, what started as a few phone calls to my office from concerned Saskatchewan citizens, has now benefited Seniors across the province. I was privileged to bring their voice forward. Some had contacted their own MLAs and the minister. But clearly, they felt they weren’t being heard and so called me as an Independent member.

MLA’s need to be given an environment where they can fully represent the will of their constituents. My vision is to bring that kind of change to the house instead of tone-deaf complacency and dysfunction demonstrated by this government.

Nadine Wilson is the Saskatchewan United Party MLA for the Constituency of Saskatchewan Rivers.

Will Scott Moe stand up for Sask. people on digital ID?

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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<strong>Will Scott Moe stand up for Sask. people on digital ID?</strong>

Is the federal government about to force a health deal on the provinces that will be a back door to force provinces to create and impose digital identification on their people?

On Jan. 25, 2023, the Globe and Mail reported that “…Ottawa has signaled it is willing to negotiate a 10-year health funding deal that will see a hefty increase for both Canada Health Transfer, or CHT, and bilateral financial agreements with individual provinces and territories.

In exchange for billions in new money that provinces and territories have been requesting, they will have to agree to national accountability measures and reforms to improve their health care systems. Quebec and Ontario initially objected to Ottawa’s key demands, but last week agreed to accept the conditions, including the creation of a national health data system.”  (Emphasis mine.)

These parties are now scheduled to discuss the deal Feb. 7, 2023.

Only two months ago, the federal government put out a Request for Proposal for a Digital Health Tech Platform (HT218-224061/A) which specifies ‘Proof of Vaccination Credentials (PVC)’ and;

…HC (Health Canada) is looking to enable and support verifiable standards and solutions for Canadian health credentials among the federal government, provinces and territories for domestic use cases and international travel.”

That RFP was put out less than a month after the Oct 30-31st G20 Summit where Canada signed on to “Support continued international dialogue and collaboration on the establishment of trusted global digital health networks as part of effort to strengthen prevention and response to future pandemics.”

Last March 2022, when I raised the issue of Digital ID in the Legislature, then Minister of SaskBuilds Jim Reiter stated that, “Sask Service Connect was in some very preliminary work…in an effort to improve quality of life and access to government programs for all citizens of the province.”

He also stated that the provincial RFP had not been awarded and that, “if we do decide to proceed with this, we’ll be extremely cautious to make sure that citizens’ privacy is protected.”

By March 31, 2022, the Regina Leader-Post reported that, “Saskatchewan is pausing the process to bring a new digital ID into the province after saying it’s heard concerns from residents.”

One question arises from these incredibly rapid developments.

On Feb. 7, 2023, will Premier Scott Moe honour the people of Saskatchewan’s concerns and refuse to drag them into a system that can easily morph into a China-style social credit tracking system?

Or, will he bow to coercion and say we have no choice; the federal government holds the purse strings of the Canada Health Transfer. (Money that belongs to taxpayers in the first place.)

This is Premier Moe’s moment to prove he is serious about Saskatchewan autonomy and protect this province from a federal government that appears to be intent on selling out our nation to a global agenda.

This is Premier Moe’s moment to show himself a true leader.

Please make time to let Premier Scott Moe and your MLA know your thoughts today! Nadine Wilson is the Saskatchewan United Party MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers.

Confusion about Crowns

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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Confusion about Crowns

In the Throne Speech last month, the Sask Party administration signaled some surprising actions regarding Crowns. They have decided to create a shiny new Crown Corporation while eliminating another.

The remaining publicly owned liquor board stores in Saskatchewan will be shuttered in 2023, leaving room for free enterprise to step in. The timing came as a surprise to most people, although the process was started some time ago. The move aligns with the government’s approach that government should not interfere where private enterprise can succeed.

In the same Throne Speech, this government appears to head down an opposite route by creating a new Crown to deliver online education in Saskatchewan. However early information suggests that this will be at the expense of private enterprise.

Flex-ED is a private business that has successfully delivered online education in Saskatchewan for 17 years. The people that need their services are for reasons such as sickness, the need to travel with family, or even family lifestyle where homeschooling is preferred.

Flex-ED clients have come forward in various media to share how they are absolutely thrilled with how Flex-ED gives them tailored flexibility of choice in educating their families. In fact, Flex-ED was somewhat of a saviour and worked with the provincial government when schools were shut down during COVID. This was needed because the provincial education system doesn’t have the tools to deliver education online efficiently.

But now the government is telling Flex-ED that they will have to apply to be a qualified online education provider. But there’s no application for it yet. The Minister of Education has also stated that if Flex-ED passes the approval process , it will need to adopt the province’s online education platform, which doesn’t yet exist either.

In other words, this government is telling a company with a very successful business model, that it must abandon its own online platform, all its hard work and investments , if it wants the privilege of doing what it has already been doing successfully for 17 years.

Why? Is this a move that will ensure in the future only government-approved information can be used to educate our children? The public has a right to know what rationale this government is using to force existing online educators to comply with its yet-to-be-developed system. And at the same time, it needs to explain why it would choose now, during skyrocketing inflation, to shut down an existing Crown Corporation that will put 350 people out of work, while dreaming up another socialist-style Crown that will kill private enterprise.

This government needs to pick a lane.

Nadine Wilson is the Independent MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers.

Seniors in dire straits need help now

Nadine Wilson, MLA
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Seniors in dire straits need help now

Last April, I wrote to Premier Scott Moe to advise him of the funding gaps being experienced by many Saskatchewan seniors living in private care homes. The letter pointed out that it has been ten years since the Personal Care Home Benefit (PCHB) was revised to top up a persons’ income to a maximum, $2,000.00 per month.

I also pointed out that 75% of private care homes charge fees of $2200.00 to residents before incidentals, with an average rate of $2900.00. These homes must meet provincially-set standards to operate, and must charge accordingly. I called for a top-up income increase up to $3000.00.

Recently, this issue has been raised once again by a constituent who resides in a not-for-profit care home. They are appealing a recent decision which lowered their subsidy benefit from $206.00 per month to $38.00, even while they are already struggling and inflation rates are at alarming levels. The claw-back is apparently due to an increase in one of the other programs.

The constituent provided the following breakdown of their budget with notations:

• Care Home $2500.00

• Foot Care $40.00

• Voltaren & Gold Bond lotion $32.20

• Pharmacy $80.44 (portion of prescriptions not covered by Sask Health Plan)

• Bell TV   $79.37

• Sasktel Mobility $69.25

      TOTAL $2801.26. (Basic expenses)

Other expenses such as vehicle registration, maintenance and gas, clothing, toiletries, haircuts, massage treatments, other over-the-counter meds (when needed).

ONLY source of income:

Old Age Security & GIS $1201.50

CPP $781.75

Personal Care Home Benefit $38.00. 

      TOTAL.  $2021.25

According to the constituent’s advocate, this resident is in a Personal Care Home because “they NEED assistance with medications, meals, and overall supervision, but they are NOT totally incapable.  How does the Ministry of Social Services justify that they are financially supported and respectfully treated as an elderly citizen?”

It is clear that the subsidy cap for the PCHB need to be increased and quickly. With $500 in ‘Moe Dough’ about to be sent to everyone who filed income tax last year, perhaps the government could have used the revenue windfall to immediately assist the people who built this province, then incorporate the increase into the next budget to sustain the program. Saskatchewan people deserve social programs that actually meet their needs. The fall session begins Oct. 26 and I will be there to advocate on their behalf.

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