Today NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat called on the Sask. Party government to reverse recent cuts to addictions counselor training at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in light of new numbers from the coroner’s office showing an increase in the number of deaths from overdose.
“Before COVID-19, Saskatchewan families were already stressed and stretched, with many struggling to access timely mental health and addictions supports,” said Mowat. “Now, we need addictions counselors more than ever, but because of this cut, we’ll have fewer. That’s the wrong approach and the government needs to reverse this senseless cut now.”
Saskatchewan Polytechnic cut 37 positions in June, including addictions counseling instructors.
According to the coroner’s office, Saskatchewan has had more confirmed and suspected overdose deaths this year than in any of the previous 10 years, information that was released quietly earlier this month without comment from the government.
“We’re facing a mental health and addictions crisis in this province, and the silence from this government is deafening, whether it’s voting down our bill for a suicide prevention strategy, or these latest cuts to addictions counselor training. This government has no plan for addressing this ongoing tragedy and no clue for how to make it better. We deserve a government that fixes problems, instead of ignoring them.”
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.