Legislative Report
March 30, 2023

Growing Saskatchewan’s Health Care Workforce

This week, our government passed its 2023-24 Budget entitled “Growth That Works for Everyone.” Growth that works for everyone means everyone in Saskatchewan being able to access the health care they need when and where they need it. Saskatchewan’s overall health budget for 2023-24 is a record $6.9 billion, up 6.7 per cent from last year. This record investment will grow the health care workforce and enhance programs and services patients need in communities across the province.

To grow the health care workforce, the budget includes a $98.8 million investment in the Health Human Resources Action Plan. This plan was introduced in September of 2022 with a goal of adding 1,000 health care workers to our province’s system.

This budget will fulfill our government’s commitment to add 250 new full-time positions and enhance additional part-time positions to full-time. To date, nearly 100 of these positions have been filled. We are creating a new Registered Nurse travel pool program to help mitigate temporary human resource pressures in rural and remote areas. In addition, Saskatchewan is creating a Physician Assistant program for the first time.

Our government is expanding health care training programs through this budget to help meet the health human resources needs of our growing province. The budget will support the continuation of a 150 seats expansion and 550 new seats in other high-priority training programs. Training and licensing supports for internationally trained health care professionals will be funded as well.

The provincial budget also ensures incentive programs for health care workers will continue. Health care workers in high-priority positions in rural and remote areas may be eligible for up to $50,000 with a three-year return-of-service agreement. Physicians in rural and remote areas are eligible for $200,000 over five years as well. These investments will support the recruitment and retention of these positions.

Mental Health and Addictions Support

In addition to adding more health care professionals to the province, our government is investing in the health care services patients need. Mental health and addictions supports and services are a high-priority area for our government. That is why this year’s budget includes a record $518 million for this area, which equals 7.5 per cent of the total health care budget.

To support those struggling with addiction, funding will support the completion of 150 new addictions treatment spaces. Investments will also go to the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Opioid Stewardship Program and the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s mobile services. In addition, the Provincial Drug Task Force will continue its overdose outreach support and the Police and Crisis Team (PACT) will expand to two more locations in Saskatchewan.

Several initiatives will support children and youth, such as an expansion of the counselling program offered by Family Services Saskatchewan. In partnership with the Ministry of Social Services, three new residential homes will support youth struggling with mental health and addictions. The SHA will hire a new navigator in northwest Saskatchewan, a consultant nurse for psychiatry at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, and a therapist for the Saskatoon Children’s Centre for children who witness or experience abuse. We will also invest in the Prenatal Outreach Resource Team (PORT). A new program which will provide grants to community-level peer support groups is funded through this budget as well.

Additional Investments in Health

With an investment of $42.5 million, we will perform an additional 6,000 surgeries this year for a record total of 103,000. This investment will reduce the surgical waitlist to its pre-pandemic level by March 2024, a year ahead of schedule. Funding will help address waitlists in cardiosciences and neurosciences, medical imaging, and endoscopy.

Seniors’ care will be enhanced through a $39 million investment into long-term care providers and new long-term care beds. We will also hire 75 new continuing care assistants, who provide vital care to seniors living in long-term care facilities. Further investments will be made for home care services and geriatric services.

To ensure facilities are well-equipped to provide enhanced services, our government has made a record $337.6 million health care infrastructure investment. Work will continue on the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital redevelopment and Weyburn General Hospital replacement projects. Long-term care facility upgrades in Regina, Estevan, Grenfell and La Ronge are also included. Developing plans will begin for the Rosthern Hospital, Battlefords District Care Centre, and St. Anthony’s Hospital in Esterhazy to better serve these communities.

In addition, this budget will provide funding for the Regina Urgent Care Centre (UCC) and the Saskatoon UCC in partnership with the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. Once open, these facilities will be a more suitable option for treatment of ailments, injuries and mental health illnesses that are urgent but not life-threatening. This will alleviate pressure in emergency departments and improve access to care for patients.

This year’s provincial budget provides the funding needed to strengthen and grow our health care system in communities across the province. With more health care workers, enhanced programs and services, and infrastructure investments, our health care system will continue to serve our growing province.

Passing of Regina MLA Derek Meyers

Our Saskatchewan Party Caucus is mourning the loss of our friend and colleague Derek Meyers, MLA for Regina Walsh Acres. Derek passed away at the age of 45 after a battle with cancer.

Through all the challenges he faced, Derek remained one of the most upbeat and positive people you could ever meet.

Since his election in 2020, Derek has been a strong voice for his constituency and the city of Regina, a tireless advocate on behalf of everyone facing mental health challenges and a vital part of our government caucus. Derek had an incredibly bright vision for Saskatchewan, and as our government moves forward with plans laid out in this year’s Budget, we will carry his memory with us.

We were blessed to have known Derek. We have lost a bright, talented, personable MLA and a young father far too soon.

On behalf of our government and our province, I want to express my deepest sympathies to Derek’s many friends, his partner Laurie, and his children Dayn, Sebastian and Eisley.