The images released Wednesday were provided by representatives of workers at St. Paul’s Hospital, the very facility where an internal committee reporting to the Minister of Health recommended back in 2024 that a metal detector be installed. It would be another 415 days before the Sask. Party acted on that recommendation.
In the meantime, while the Premier sat on his hands, weapons were found over and over. The images released Wednesday show knives of varying sizes, machetes, homemade shivs, pickaxes and multiple saws. Last week, images from Royal University Hospital nearby showed much of the same.
“What a pathetic and sorry excuse for leadership from Scott Moe and the Sask. Party — their inaction has put frontline healthcare workers and patients at constant risk,” said Nathaniel Teed, Labour Shadow Minister. “Machetes, knives, saws — none of these things should be brought into a hospital.
“Furthermore, imagine how desperate some of the people arming themselves must feel. This government has driven healthcare into the groundground, and they’ve sat back as severe crime in the province has risen to double the national average.
“If they won’t deal with the issues we see every day in our communities and our hospitals, I have to ask why they won’t step aside and let a new government get to work.”
One incident at St. Paul’s in late November saw a healthcare worker directly threatened by a patient who was admitted to the emergency room while in possession of a firearm and three knives. In 2024, a Provincial Auditor report found that 17 of 20 safety incidents investigated in Saskatchewan hospital had “weak planned corrective action,” and laid out recommendations for improvements.
Last week, Scott Moe’s incompetent Health Minister announced a “review,” of hospital safety but offered no scope, no timeline and no plan to consult frontline workers.
“We don’t need a review — we need action to protect workers and patients,” Teed said. “We’re listening to the people on the frontlines in hospitals; they know what the issues are and what is needed to restore safety in Saskatchewan’s hospitals.
“It’s time for change.”
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Minister of Rural and Remote Health Cites Placeholder Funding In Out-Year Budgets, But Records Show No Such Amounts Exist
YORKTON – Scott Moe and the Sask. Party either don’t have a clue on the costs or completion timeline for the desperately needed new Yorkton Hospital — a project the government promised to deliver 14 years ago — or they’re willfully hiding those details from the public.
Yorkton, Swift Current, Moose Jaw And Prince Albert All Saw Job Losses
REGINA – Saskatchewan saw significant job losses in the month of July according to data released by Stats Canada today, impacting communities across the province, while youth unemployment climbed to over 12 per cent.