In 2020, the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union released data showing that nearly 90 percent of social workers reported that their workplaces were not adequately staffed. The government chose not to release the data in their 2024-2025 report.
In 2024, the Ministry of Social Services’ annual report did not release the number of child and family program staff, making it impossible to track operational outcomes and gauge new initiatives.
“Support workers are integral to supporting Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable, but Moe and his minister expect a support worker who should only be able to deal with 20 cases to be handling 80,” said Erika Ritchie, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Social Services.
On Monday, Ritchie was joined in Question Period by Rae Seidel, a former Ministry employee who is sounding the alarm on the unmanageable caseload levels.
“Investing in social services protects vulnerable children and adults, ensures their chance for a positive future. By not staffing appropriately, children are not able to access the care they need, and the consequence of that can be dire,” said Rae.
“So, the question is not whether we need to act, but how many more children are going to be left behind before our government finally does the right thing.”
“This is a system in crisis, and it is vulnerable children who are paying the price for this government’s callous mismanagement,” Ritchie added. “Support workers can’t perform under these conditions.
“We need more transparency and accountability from this premier. How has he allowed the Ministry of Social Services to become so severely under resourced and understaffed? Scott Moe’s bad news budget completely missed the mark on what support workers need to do their jobs and those who depend on them.
“Clearly, it's time for change.”
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