Contracting major Sask. Party donor has worsened waitlists

Saskatchewan has the worst waits in Canada for key procedures

REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Rural and Remote Health Critic Matt Love grilled the Moe government on their decision to award major donor Clearpoint/Surgical Centres Inc. with a sole-source contract for mammograms. The latest data coming out of the province’s Surgical Initiative shows that the combined waitlist for knee and hip replacements has worsened since these procedures were outsourced to Clearpoint/Surgical Centres Inc.

“We have the longest waits for key procedures in Canada and people may literally die waiting if the backlog doesn’t improve,” said Love. “I think it’s telling that the only people who think the health system is on track are Moe and his Ministers.”

According to CIHI, Saskatchewan has the worst wait times for knee and hip replacement procedures in Canada. In January, Clearpoint/Surgical Centres Inc. was contracted to perform knee and hip procedures starting in February in Calgary in order to cut down on the backlog.

The province’s most recent Surgical Initiative report shows that the waitlist for knee replacements has barely budged, moving from 4,737 in March to 4,734 in June. The waitlist for hip replacements has actually worsened since funding and resources were directed to Clearpoint/Surgical Centres Inc., rising from 2,020 people in March to 2,064 in June.

Clearpoint/Surgical Centres Inc. has to date donated $19,300 to the Sask. Party. Last week the organization was awarded a sole-source contract to perform mammograms, each for $2,000. Other private providers in British Columbia and Ontario offer mammograms ranging in price from $130 to $430.

-30-

Latest posts

SHADOW MINISTER OF FORESTRY JORDAN MCPHAIL RESPONDS TO THE CURTAILMENT OF THE BIG RIVER SAWMILL

My thoughts are with the 117 workers and their families who will be impacted by this decision.

These are families being thrown into financial anxiety, because of the total mismanagement of Saskatchewan's forestry industry by Scott Moe and the Sask. Party.

From refusing to assist the forest sector when it comes to Donald Trump's tariffs, to allowing disease, insects, and wildfires to devastate forests and destroy investment, it’s clear that Scott Moe and the Sask. Party don't view our forests as assets worth managing.

Our team has made a number of calls to support the forest sector, including allowing dues free salvage of the burned areas to aid reforestation, to focusing on replanting to show a commitment to growth.

Carla Beck’s team has listened to the industry and community stakeholders for the forest sector, and are working to support them to protect the good jobs and communities that rely on them.

The Sask. Party has failed the forest sector, workers and communities for nearly two decades, and now 117 workers in Prince Albert are facing the consequences.

It’s time for change.

-30-

SASK. PARTY TELLS APPLYING CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THERE IS ‘NO NEED’ WHILE FAMILIES WAIT YEARS FOR A SPACE

Scott Moe’s Sask. Party Breaks Promise Of Childcare Access For Families
SASKATOON – Carla Beck's team is calling on Scott Moe to explain why prospective childcare providers are being denied licenses after receiving letters stating that the government believes there is "no need" for additional childcare spaces — even as families across the province remain on waitlists for months and, in many cases, years.

AS THOUSANDS DEMAND ANSWERS, CARLA BECK’S TEAM PLANS OPEN HOUSE TO HEAR CONCERNS ON MOOSE JAW-AREA AI DATA CENTRE

Power Usage, Data Security, Environmental Impact Among Common Concerns

MOOSE JAW – Carla Beck is in Moose Jaw today to personally invite people deeply concerned about a proposed AI data centre at Moose Jaw’s Valley View site to an open house next month to voice their concerns and talk about what her team intends to do to get answers.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM LAUNCHES TOUR FOCUSED ON KEEPING RURAL EMERGENCY ROOMS OPEN, BEING TRANSPARENT WHEN THEY’RE NOT

Summer Tour Comes As Part Of Ongoing Your Care, Your Say Project
BALGONIE – Carla Beck's team will be hitting the road this summer to talk to people in dozens of rural Saskatchewan communities about the need to deliver big, bold change in healthcare to keep hospital emergency rooms open — and to, at least, provide lifesaving information when they’re closed.

NDP Caucus Office