The SaskParty is failing to contain yet another crisis

The WHO was declaring a global pandemic and countries around the world were buying up ventilators, hospital beds and Personal Protective Equipment. The SaskParty instead was planning a snap election.

Oil prices were tanking and thousands of people were dying around the world from a spreading virus. The SaskParty instead was planning to release a full budget based on already out of date revenue projections.

Ontario has ordered all non-essential businesses to close as of today (March 24) and banned gatherings of more than five people, and the city of Regina attempted to do the same. The SaskParty instead blocked the city’s efforts, and besides a recommendation of social distancing and the closing of restaurant dining rooms but allowing gatherings of up to 25 people, its essentially business as usual in Saskatchewan.

If this sounds familiar, you aren’t just having déjà vu. Just like with the opioid epidemic, or rising gun crime, or worsening climate change, or the sustained drop in commodity prices, this government continues to be asleep at the wheel during a crisis. The SaskParty continues to put the interests of its donors ahead of that of the people they are supposed to serve. Only this time around, as evidenced by elsewhere in the world, its only going to be much much more consequential.

For some solace, we have arguably had one of the best national responses to the Covid-19 pandemic seen in the world but a premier who claims to “stand up for Saskatchewan” is sure failing at a time when its people need him the most. Is it because right-wing parties in general are fundamentally inept at planning for, managing and recovering from crises? Is it because the SaskParty is so corrupt and so bent on power that they’d rather take advantage of the situation to extend their reign another five years than make political sacrifices to try to save people’s lives? Is Scott Moe over his head and lacking the courage and leadership to step up to this momentous task?

Either way, when this election eventually does happen, as we begin to chart a recovery from the immense social and economic toll that Covid-19 will have brought, I hope the people of this province open their eyes and understand the SaskParty for what they really are: a party that rode in on a wave of high oil and potash prices but flounders as storms brew above and things get tough. This election, let’s put people first and send the SaskParty back out to sea.