Official Opposition Critic for Mental Health and Addictions, Doyle Vermette, today issued the following statement on International Overdose Awareness Day:
“As we mark International Overdose Awareness Day, I think of the far too many lives that have been lost to an overdose death. Each overdose death is a personal tragedy and my heart goes out to every family that has had to experience the loss of their loved one under such horrific circumstances.
“Over the last five years the amount of deaths confirmed by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service to be due to overdose has risen from 91 in 2015 to 281 in 2020. This number is expected to rise yet again for 2021. This is unacceptable and more must be done to protect Saskatchewan people and families.
“Today, it is important to properly recognize the incredible work done by so many inspirational citizens to meet the seriousness this crisis demands. People like Jason Mercredi and the Prairie Harm Reduction team, Ret Brailsford and the Regina Harm Reduction Coalition, people and citizen-led groups who do excellent work across our province every single day to meet the challenges of the overdose crisis.
“While I am incredibly grateful to know I live in a province where community organizations step-up - Saskatchewan’s citizens should not continue to be asked to fill the void of leadership created by Scott Moe’s refusal to properly fund services shown by the evidence to reduce harm and save lives.
“Safe-consumption sites are needed and should not have to rely on community fundraisers to provide services. Naloxone kits should be readily accessible across the province. Organizations who save lives should know they have sustainable, predictable funding to do their work.
“The provincial government needs to do the right thing and immediately commit to support our community partners to reduce harm, and to save more lives. It is the very least they could commit to today.”
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.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
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.