The Saskatchewan NDP has joined health care unions and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour in calling for an expanded “hero pay” program for all frontline health care workers.

Opposition Leader Ryan Meili said on Thursday morning that an extension into the second phase of the Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplement Program is needed since “hero pay” only supports workers in long-term care and personal care home facilities impacted by visitations suspensions from November.

Meili said there are several types of health care workers outside of long-term care that deserve the temporary wage top-up.

“We have folks in critical care, ICUs, paramedics and everybody else that are under added stress working hard and putting themselves on the line for us in the middle of this pandemic,” stated Meili. “They deserve that support, too.”

In a note from the NDP, it mentions how Saskatchewan was eligible for more than $106 million from the federal government for wage increases for essential workers, but documents show nearly half was left on the table.

In response, Premier Scott Moe said they have provided “hero pay” to everywhere it is applicable. He added how all health care workers have done a remarkable job during the pandemic, but never clearly said they would expand the program.

(CKRM)