Today, Saskatchewan NDP Health critic Vicki Mowat introduced a one-clause bill to include employees of the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) in the Public Interest Disclosure Act, the province’s whistleblower legislation.
“The Sask. Party government doesn’t need to wait to protect these hard-working employees—they could do it today,” Mowat said. “After their recent attempts to silence doctors and other health employees, this government needs to make it crystal clear that those who come forward with concerns will be protected.”
Mowat proposed that her bill be passed during this session and called on the government to urgently consult with all public-sector employees on changes to the act to ensure they feel safe coming forward, given that few employees have made use of the existing protections.
The Sask. Party’s Health Minister Jim Reiter said that coverage for SHA employees will be temporarily provided under regulation, which Mowat said does not go far enough.
“We know that the Sask. Party’s cuts to health care are letting people down, and it’s critical that workers are able to speak out about the impact of these cuts,” said Mowat. “If the Minister wants to make it clear that people are free to speak out, he can pass this bill immediately.”
Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.