For months, Carla Beck’s team has pressed the Sask. Party government for a construction timeline on the new hospital, which was first promised back in 2012. Despite repeated requests, the government’s only response has been that the project remains in the “pre-design” phase, offering no additional details on the next steps or when construction can be expected to begin.
In a March 31 Standing Committee on Human Services meeting, Rural & Remote Health Shadow Minister Jared Clarke questioned Cabinet Minister Lori Carr on the projected timelines for the hospital and whether funding is allocated for the project within the 2025-26 to 2029-30 Saskatchewan Capital Plan. In response, Carr again touted the project’s status as still being in the pre-design phase but further noted that “we do have placeholders in the budget in the out years to continue that work.”
However, newly released records raise serious concerns about the accuracy of statements made by the Minister. The Saskatchewan Health Authority recently responded to a freedom of information request submitted by Beck’s team, stating that no such records exist relating to placeholder amounts in budget out-years for the Yorkton Hospital.
“More political games and deliberate attempts to deceive the good people of Yorkton — this has become the calling card for Scott Moe and the Sask. Party,” said Aleana Young, MLA for Regina-South Albert. “This is a government so callous and so fixated on holding onto power that they willfully lie to people about something as important as a hospital their community desperately needs.
“When does it end with these guys?”
Carla Beck has promised to build the Yorkton Hospital and to provide clear timelines and costing for the project if she forms the next Saskatchewan government.
Beck’s team has also launched the largest healthcare consultation in a generation across the province, with more than 1,000 conversations occurring to date. The result so far has been publication of an ambitious roadmap that will guide the work of Beck’s team to deliver big, bold change in Saskatchewan healthcare. People can take part in the discussion at YourCareYourSay.ca.
“We don’t have to settle for a crumbling healthcare system here in Yorkton and across Saskatchewan,” Young said. “We can kick the Sask. Party to the curb and get back to doing what we do best in this province — leading the nation in healthcare.
“People know change is possible and I’m here today to tell them change is on the way.”
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