SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan NDP is promising funds to hire teachers and doctors while removing the provincial sales tax from construction labour and lowering car insurance rates if elected Oct. 26. 

The party has released its platform, which focuses on spending increases in health care and schools.

It includes $10 million for addictions treatment, $5 million for a suicide prevention strategy and $3 million for rural education.

Many of the promises were previously announced on the campaign trail, such as a $15-an-hour minimum wage and a one per cent tax on people with a net wealth over $15 million.

Leader Ryan Meili says in the platform document that cuts and austerity during a global pandemic is dangerous. 

Meili has not set a date to balance the books but says an NDP government would appoint a panel of experts to get the province's finances back on a solid footing. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2020.

The Canadian Press

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