Whistleblowers say Sask. Party Minister lied about addictions treatment services
REGINA – The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for the Provincial Auditor to investigate shocking new revelations of potential financial impropriety, failed treatment, and lies that have emerged surrounding the Sask. Party government’s Lumsden Treatment Centre.
Whistleblowers, including former employees, today stood with the Saskatchewan NDP and shared their shocking stories.
Among them was the centre’s failed webcam “day program,” which the Sask. Party government hastily scrambled to establish after being caught lying about opening impatient beds that were not actually open.
The whistleblowers also allege that the centre is knowingly charging taxpayers for care beds that are not in use and encouraging Saskatchewan patients seeking treatment to travel to British Columbia and pay $25,000 for care at a different EHN Canada facility.
Despite the facility still not being fully open, the Sask. Party government has frequently bragged about 60 “open” beds at the Lumsden Care Facility in news releases and throughout the provincial campaign, including during the Leaders’ Debate.
“We deserve immediate answers on how much money has been wasted on this failed project – money that could have been used to save lives,” said Betty Nippi-Albright, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions.
“I’ve spoken with so many families dealing with addiction. It can be devastating. That’s why having these treatment beds is so important. There's only a small window of opportunity when somebody is ready to seek treatment, and we need to act immediately. These beds need to be available. But when it comes to this facility, that hasn’t been the case. The Sask. Party lied to the public.”
Mandy Challis, one of the whistleblowers, was the Admission Coordinator at the facility before quitting out of frustration. She alleges that the Lumsden facility was receiving funding to operate but wasn’t accepting patients.
“We spent most of the time doing dry runs in the event we actually did have patients at some point,” Challis said. “I applied to work there because I wanted to help people, but it was a horrible culture, focused entirely on profits, not people.”
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