The official Opposition wrote to the premier on Friday demanding action regarding the mass airline cancellations in Saskatchewan.
“Air travel is essential to our economic well-being. The loss of needed flight routes and carriers is a loss for people and our economy. It’s past time that this premier stand up for us on this front and find solutions,” said NDP infrastructure critic Trent Wotherspoon.
This week, Sunwing cancelled all Regina flights and 35 per cent of Saskatoon flights for the rest of the winter season. In December 2022, the airline announced that the cancellations were only going to be in effect until early February, until the recent extension for the remainder of the season.
Air Canada has also exited the Saskatchewan market, cutting all connections with the Calgary airport and moving to focus on their larger hubs in the country.
“For many people, the Sunwing situation has ruined their first vacation in years. With so many on tight budgets, any other spending is on hold until they get that refund,” said Opposition Leader Carla Beck. “And frankly, that could take weeks if not months.”
Following Sunwing’s original December announcement, the premier called the airline’s decision to suspend operations for the month “irresponsible.”
“This is a very irresponsible decision by Sunwing for everyone who has booked a vacation, particularly those who are currently at their destination and are uncertain how and when they will get home,” Moe said in a statement on Dec. 30.
Moe said his government also expects Sunwing to “appropriately compensate everyone who did not receive the service they purchased.”
Beck has asked Moe to provide an outline including what he has done and how he plans to work with the airlines, airports, economic organizations and impacted industries.
On Friday, Global News spoke with Minister for Trade and Export development Jeremy Harrison on the government’s updated response to the airline cancellations.
“It lies exclusively with the government of Canada,” said Harrison.
He said that the Sask. Party is concerned how this is going to affect businesses, industries and quality of life.
“What is important to remember is that this is an industry, and these are companies that are 100 per cent federally regulated,” said Harrison. “We as provincial governments have extraordinarily limited tools to address the challenge that exists.”
Harrison said he thinks the federal government feels indifferent towards the challenges Saskatchewan is facing in regard to international transportation.
“The (provincial) NDP are in coalition with Justin Trudeau,” said Harrison. “The only reason he continues to be in charge of the transportation Canada department and the regulatory regime is because Jagmeet Singh props him up on a daily basis.”
Harrison went on to claim that the provincial NDP has done nothing to ask federal NDP Leader Singh to bring the airline issue to Trudeau.
“We have a premier who has been missing in action,” said Wotherspoon.
“That premier should be working with all partners, as well as with federal government and industry to find a solution on this front.”
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