“Lives are in the balance”: Official Opposition calls on Sask. Party government to stop delay, call in military support in Long Term Care

SASKATOON - Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili and Seniors’ Critic Matt Love called on the Sask. Party government to reverse course and call the federal government to ensure military personnel can be on hand to support the effort to save lives in Saskatchewan’s long-term care system.

“At every step, this government has delayed real action that could help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our province, and crucial in our long-term care homes,” said Meili. “That has to stop. Lives are in the balance. There can be no more delay.”

Last week the Sask. Party government stated that they would not be calling the federal government to bring in military assistance. At that time 12 residents of Parkside Extendicare in Regina had passed away. That number has now tragically climbed to 18.

“We know that the staff in Long Term Care are overwhelmed. And we know that increasing community transmission of COVID-19 makes outbreaks in long-term care facilities more likely,” said Love. “The sad reality is that this government failed to act weeks ago when it could have got a handle on the spread of the pandemic. Let’s not make the same mistake again. Mr. Premier: get on the phone now and bring in all the support we can get on the ground, now.”

Love noted that the government is waiting until later this week - Thursday, December 17 - to announce what measures Saskatchewan families can expect to see in the weeks ahead to address the pandemic. “Premier Moe and the Sask. Party government have waited too long already. Despite overwhelmed health care services, they seem satisfied to point to poll numbers instead of taking needed action. Saskatchewan families deserve better.”

New Democrats continue to call for other key measures in Long Term Care, including:

Hire the 300 Continuing Care Aides announced in the Throne Speech now, instead of waiting until Spring 2021
Introduce a standard of no more than two residents per room
Undertake in-person inspections at every long-term care facility with an outbreak and make the results of those inspections public.

Latest posts

JEREMY COCKRILL IS FORCING HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO A STRIKE VOTE — AND HIS OWN COMMUNITY WILL PAY THE PRICE

Pattern Of Failed Bargaining Attempts Mean Workers Leaving For Good And Putting System In Increasing Danger: Roy
NORTH BATTLEFORD – Carla Beck’s team is in Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill’s own riding today, calling him out for forcing 14,000 desperately needed healthcare workers to vote on a strike as they have gone four years without a contract.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM CALLS FOR ACTION TO SUPPORT SASKATCHEWAN PRODUCERS IN WAKE OF DAMNING REPORT ON PRODUCERS BEING SHORTED AND SQUEEZED

Agriculture Producers Association Of Saskatchewan Says Costs Rising, Farm Share Falling For Saskatchewan Producers
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team, while taking in Ag in Motion in Langham, is calling on Scott Moe and the Sask. Party to take action to improve the bottom line for producers.

THE SASK. PARTY CLAIMS ABOUT IMPROVING SAID PROGRAM DON’T MATCH THE REALITY OF CLIENTS WHO ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO GET BY

Scott Moe, Sask. Party Focused On Photo Ops & Political Spin While Those In Need Suffer
REGINA – Today, Carla Beck’s team is calling out the Sask. Party for their continual failures to provide sufficient support for SAID clients here in Saskatchewan.

POTENTIAL HEALTHCARE WORKER STRIKE ENTIRELY THE FAULT OF SCOTT MOE, JEREMY COCKRILL

Carla Beck’s Team Demands A Fair Deal For Frontline Workers After Four Years Without A Contract
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is laying the potential of a fall strike involving thousands of healthcare workers squarely at the feet of Scott Moe and his ignorant Health Minister — who seems to cause strikes everywhere he goes — and demanding immediate action to get to the bargaining table and deliver a fair deal.

NDP Caucus Office