NDP calls on government to reverse cuts to addictions counsellor training

Today NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat called on the Sask. Party government to reverse recent cuts to addictions counselor training at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in light of new numbers from the coroner’s office showing an increase in the number of deaths from overdose.

“Before COVID-19, Saskatchewan families were already stressed and stretched, with many struggling to access timely mental health and addictions supports,” said Mowat. “Now, we need addictions counselors more than ever, but because of this cut, we’ll have fewer. That’s the wrong approach and the government needs to reverse this senseless cut now.”

Saskatchewan Polytechnic cut 37 positions in June, including addictions counseling instructors.

According to the coroner’s office, Saskatchewan has had more confirmed and suspected overdose deaths this year than in any of the previous 10 years, information that was released quietly earlier this month without comment from the government.

“We’re facing a mental health and addictions crisis in this province, and the silence from this government is deafening, whether it’s voting down our bill for a suicide prevention strategy, or these latest cuts to addictions counselor training. This government has no plan for addressing this ongoing tragedy and no clue for how to make it better. We deserve a government that fixes problems, instead of ignoring them.”

Latest posts

SCOTT MOE’S PUBLIC SAFETY MINISTER WEGER CAUGHT LYING ON THE RECORD ABOUT SHOCKING WILDFIRE REPORT

Enough Is Enough — Scott Moe Needs To Fire His Incompetent Public Safety Replacement Minister
SASKATOON – Scathing new documents show the Sask. Party government lying to people of the North who lost so much during last year’s devastating wildfire season. The lies are just the latest in a series of failures, cover ups and scandals concerning Scott Moe’s government’s horrific preparation, response and review of the disaster that saw hundreds of homes and businesses burnt to the ground.

LUXURY JET SCANDAL TAKES OFF AS WEEDMARK REFUSES TO PRODUCE RECEIPTS

Second Luxury Jet Video Emerges Showing Scott Moe’s Out-Of-Touch Sask. Party MLA Using Lavish Private Jets To Perform Government Business
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is demanding that Scott Moe’s MLA for Moosomin-Montmartre reveal how many times he has used luxury private jets while performing government duties.

SCOTT MOE’S REFUSAL TO PROVIDE RELIEF KEEPS SMALL BUSINESSES UNDER WATER

Retail Sales Growth In Saskatchewan Dead-Last, Financial Anxiety For Consumers Highest In Canada
SASKATOON - Carla Beck’s team is standing with a Saskatoon small business owner, calling out Scott Moe for refusing to provide any relief despite sky-high costs, which will only be made worse by new tariffs.

REGINA PEDIATRIC DIABETIC CARE CHANGES LEAVE RURAL FAMILIES FEELING ABANDONED

Scott Moe’s Minister Brushed Off Changes Last Week, Said Health Authority Could Have Communicated Better
WOLSELEY — A mother from Wolseley is speaking out about an abrupt and harmful change to pediatric diabetic care in Regina that she says has disrupted care for her family and made an already difficult situation even harder to navigate.

NDP Caucus Office