SASKATCHEWAN NDP BACKS CALL TO USE TOBACCO LAWSUIT REVENUE TO BOLSTER CANCER CARE

Sask. Party Uses Lawsuit Settlement To Cover Up Financial Mismanagement

SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan NDP is in full support of a call this morning from the Saskatchewan Government & General Employees’ Union (SGEU) to use hundreds of millions in new revenue from a national tobacco lawsuit to improve cancer care in the province, not cover for the Sask. Party’s terrible financial management.

On Monday, the Sask. Party released a fiscal update that showed a deficit of $249 million; however, that figure was actually $649 million prior to the Sask. Party deciding to pour $400 million from a national lawsuit settlement with tobacco companies to pay down their deficit.

“The Sask. Party has failed to manage our finances and now they’re using funding that should be going to improve healthcare to soften the political blow on themselves — it’s shameful,” said Keith Jorgenson, Saskatchewan NDP Associate Shadow Health Minister.

“Healthcare in our province is in last place because the Sask. Party put it there,” Jorgenson said. “They care only about themselves, not the health of you and your loved ones.”

Last fall, an internal SGEU memo surfaced that laid out chronic understaffing, burnout, mental health strain, poor communication and increased workload at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

Testimonials from frontline workers were included in the memo, with one account stating, “Patients have died waiting for treatment due to the overwhelming demand and lack of available staff. Treatment delays and errors are common due to the high workload.”

Jorgenson said no one should die of cancer while sitting on a waitlist.

“After 17 years of this garbage, it’s time for a government focused on the future, that joins frontline workers in building real solutions to improve cancer care in the province, and all healthcare for that matter,” he said.

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