REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Status of Women Critic Jennifer Bowes and Democracy and Ethics Critic Meara Conway called on Scott Moe’s Sask. Party government to start fixing Saskatchewan’s uneven patchwork of abortion services by introducing a province-wide intake system and establishing surgical abortion centres in Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
“Premier Moe and his Sask. Party ministers are making it harder for people across Saskatchewan to access sound medical advice and safe abortion procedures,” said Bowes. “Saskatchewan people deserve a government that will take their health seriously and stop politicizing access to abortions.”
The Official Opposition was joined at the Legislature by the leadership of Planned Parenthood Regina, Abortion is Healthcare, Saskatoon Sexual Health, Regina Abortion Support Network and abortion providers who took to the front steps before question period to draw attention to government-imposed barriers restricting access to safe abortion services.
Women in rural and remote communities often have to undergo two-day trips for safe abortions and like those in large urban centres have to navigate disjointed and uneven access. Saskatoon and Prince Albert do not have surgical abortion centres akin to what exists in Regina. And without a central intake system, women outside self-referral zones like Regina have fewer options for discreet medical advice and often have to obtain a referral from their local doctor.
“It’s faster for some American women to cross state lines than it is for women in remote Saskatchewan communities to get medical help when they need it,” said Conway. “Platitudes and words of support simply won’t do when Saskatchewan people are consistently denied adequate access to this important service. We need action today.”
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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.