The annual report from the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth highlighted yet again how the Sask. Party government is failing children in care.
“There are too many kids in care, and too many kids dying or critically injured while they’re in care,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “When the need to act is so clear, it’s frustrating to see how little has changed.”
According to the report, of the children who lost their lives in care in 2018, 80 per cent were Indigenous and 98 per cent of those critically injured were of Indigenous descent.
These staggering numbers have renewed calls for the transformation of child welfare in Saskatchewan. The Sask. Party promised just that nearly a decade ago, but has still not delivered. The advocate also pointed to this government’s ten-year Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan, which instead of being acted on is collecting dust while the Sask. Party fails another generation of Saskatchewan kids.
The Advocate’s report also highlights staggering rates of suicide in Northern Saskatchewan and the fact that some children have no access to supports whatsoever.
“We have been pushing for a suicide prevention strategy, but this government won’t make the meaningful changes people desperately need,” said NDP Social Services Critic Nicole Rancourt. “We hope that this report finally shames the government into the action we know is needed to address the mental health crisis that’s taking children’s lives in Saskatchewan.”
Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
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Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.