Question Period (13 May 2024)

From Hansard (13 May 2024)

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 Access to Addictions Treatment

Ms. Beck: — Mr. Speaker, 10 per cent is hardly a passing grade for that Education minister. Now they’re not only failing to deliver, Mr. Speaker, on education. They’re failing to deliver on mental health and addictions, the crisis that is gripping our province.

Now we’re joined today, Mr. Speaker, in your gallery by Jenny Churchill from Moms Stop the Harm, and she’s joined by Bonnie Godfrey. Bonnie’s husband, Peter, decided that he was ready to get treatment for his addiction. And after waiting weeks, he got the call that a bed was available for him at the Wakamow detox centre in Moose Jaw. But when he arrived, Mr. Speaker, he was denied treatment and told to go home.

What does the minister have to say to Bonnie after her husband was denied access to treatment that he was finally, finally ready to receive?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would begin just by welcoming Jenny and Bonnie to their Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I’m not familiar with Peter’s situation, but I would be happy to meet with Bonnie and learn more about it after question period if she would so wish.

I would just say, Mr. Speaker, the challenges in terms of receiving addictions treatment is precisely why our government has committed to more than doubling the number of addictions treatment spaces available across this province, Mr. Speaker. We are working to expand addictions treatment capacity by 500 spaces in all communities across this province, Mr. Speaker, and making access to those spaces easier for individuals so that they can self-refer in that moment when they are ready for treatment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, that minister likes to boast about the number of treatment spaces that his government has opened, and of course treatment is important. But those beds don’t help if people can’t access them. That minister should know that it takes a lot of courage for someone who is struggling with addiction to get to a place where they’re ready for treatment. To get there and be denied access due to short-staffing is unacceptable.

Does the minister think it’s acceptable that people ready to access treatment are being denied?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And as I said, access to these addictions treatment spaces that we are expanding across the province is a key pillar of our action plan so that people can access treatment when they are ready. This is an action plan that we just recently announced in the fall of 2023, Mr. Speaker, and we are actively pursuing the expansion of that capacity.

We are creating a system that will make it easier for individuals to access those addictions treatment spaces. And we are transitioning to a recovery-oriented system of care, Mr. Speaker, so that the supports that that individual needs can be provided to the individual in a more holistic way to ensure long-lasting recovery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, this family did everything right. Bonnie’s husband prepared for weeks to go to treatment. He worked with his family doctor, who wrote a letter giving Peter the all-clear to attend treatment. He called every day to keep his position on the wait-list. He was told that Wakamow detox would take him, that they understood his needs. He and Bonnie were assured that there was no problem, Mr. Speaker.

When they arrived after travelling 115 kilometres from Bulyea, they were told that the facility was short-staffed, that there was only one nurse and that they couldn’t accommodate Peter. Mr. Speaker, Peter waited and prepared for weeks to go to treatment just to be told to go home and try again.

Does the minister think that this is acceptable?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — No, Mr. Speaker, that’s not an acceptable result for Peter or for anyone in Peter’s situation. And that’s why we have transitioned our system so that people who are seeking access don’t have to experience what Peter experienced, Mr. Speaker.

What the member opposite is describing is the way the system used to operate when people had to get a physician’s referral. We have changed that, Mr. Speaker, so that people can now self-refer to addictions treatment, so that when they are ready to receive treatment, we don’t miss that window of opportunity and they can refer themselves to treatment, Mr. Speaker.

We are expanding capacity to ensure that we have 500 more addictions treatment spaces available across this province, Mr. Speaker, so that when people are ready, they have easy access and they have a space waiting for them to provide them with the most appropriate treatment for their personal needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, he had the physician referral. The issue in this case was short-staffing. That’s why he was turned away.

Mr. Speaker, the Godfreys tried to file a complaint with the patient advocate regarding their ill-treatment, but they were told that the SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] couldn’t accept their complaint, that the SHA can’t accept any complaints about third-party addictions treatment centres, and that the SHA only funds these centres.

Mr. Speaker, does the minister think it’s acceptable that there is no accountability for Peter being turned away from Wakamow detox?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I’m not familiar with the specifics because I haven’t had an opportunity to meet with Bonnie or Peter about this specific case. As the member opposite referenced, this is a third-party provider who does receive funding, Mr. Speaker, but they operate independently. Mr. Speaker, I have toured this facility. I have met with the operator and the staff that operate Wakamow, and I am happy to, again, meet with Bonnie and hear the circumstances so that we can try and find a resolution and a path forward for Peter.

As I said, Mr. Speaker, it is our goal that everybody who is ready to receive addictions treatment has a space, has easy access to that treatment, and is provided with the individualized wraparound supports that they need to ensure that they can live a healthy life in recovery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, yet again the minister says that he’s focused on treatment, but that’s cold comfort for people who can’t get access to those treatment spaces. This is not the first time that this facility has come under scrutiny, Mr. Speaker. And the minister is taking no responsibility for the actions of this facility despite the fact that he is the minister responsible and his ministry provides funding to this space. Does he think it’s acceptable that there’s no accountability mechanism in place when situations like this occur?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to advise the member opposite that, as part of the plan, what we are doing is expanding capacity and improving access to the system that she’s referring to. One of those measures, Mr. Speaker, will include an accountability measure so that all of the providers across the province are in fact held accountable and providing adequate and appropriate care.

Mr. Speaker, as I said, we have committed to expanding addictions treatment by 500 more spaces across the province. Of that 500, Mr. Speaker, only in the first few months of this province we’ve now announced 198 additional addictions treatment spaces across the province. We are continuing to expand that with further announcements in the very near future. And we again, Mr. Speaker, are ensuring that we can transition to a recovery-oriented system of care so that people receive the individualized care that they need for their specific circumstances. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, the minister talks about expanding treatment spaces. How can we be assured that these treatment spaces will have staff to make sure that they can operate when the existing treatment spaces are understaffed?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, the way the expansion of these spaces works is providers who are experts in that space apply through an RFP [request for proposal] or an RFSQ [request for supplier qualification] committing to provide those services, Mr. Speaker.

The government simply contracts those spaces and pays for those spaces with public funds, from the providers who are the experts in that area, Mr. Speaker. They are providing the services through their expertise, with their staff, on their programs, Mr. Speaker. Again, we are contracting the spaces from them. They are the experts in this area. And we will have an accountability system put in place to ensure that that system of care that they are providing is appropriate and is consistent with the recovery-oriented system of care that we have announced as a government that we are pursuing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, we’re also joined today by seven medical students as part of SHRIP [Students for Harm Reduction & Informed Policy] from the University of Saskatchewan. They’re here to advocate for increased supports for people dealing with addiction. These future doctors and community leaders know that evidence-based supports save lives. They know that this minister’s widely criticized policy shift, based solely on ideology, will cost lives. Alberta is seeing this right now with an increase in overdose deaths by 25 per cent.

The minister has seen the research provided to the ministry directly by these students, and he’s heard the outcry from addictions specialists. Will the minister finally listen to these students and those on the front lines, change course, and implement an evidence-based plan today?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I would also welcome these guests to their Legislative Assembly. I’d be happy to meet with them, if they’re interested, after question period as well.

Mr. Speaker, the members opposite, day after day, week after week talk about an evidence-based plan. Mr. Speaker, the evidence is right in front of us. We only need to look to the British Columbia NDP and their failed ideological plans that have resulted in unsafe communities, Mr. Speaker. They have resulted in public use of illicit drugs, Mr. Speaker. It has not reduced overdoses; it has not reduced deaths. Mr. Speaker, we know very well what the evidence is from a plan that the NDP would have this province hold. We will not follow that plan.

Our government has a plan that saves lives, that heals families and it strengthens communities, Mr. Speaker. Our government’s focus is on making it easier for people to access treatment and for them to receive wraparound supports specific to their individual need, Mr. Speaker, so that they can receive the treatments they need and live healthy lives in recovery.

Provision of Health Care in Rural Communities

Mr. Love: — Mr. Speaker, that tired and out-of-touch government has no solutions for the addictions crisis, and they’ve got no solutions for the rural health care crisis. Last week we met people from Duck Lake, the RM [rural municipality], and Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation. There are eight empty beds in Duck Lake’s special care home, and it’s not because of a lack of demand. They don’t have enough people to staff that home, so the beds go empty.

How did the minister let the crisis in rural health care get so bad?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to meet with the individuals from Duck Lake and Beardy’s and Okemasis and Rosthern last week, Mr. Speaker. We had a great conversation afterward. And as I explained to them and as I had mentioned in the House last week, Mr. Speaker, we have an action plan for health human resources to specifically address the needs that we have in our rural communities, Mr. Speaker.

That plan is yielding results across the province. Yes, we recognize there are still challenges, and Duck Lake understands that they are one of those communities in that situation, Mr. Speaker.

However, through that plan we have recruited SIPPA [Saskatchewan international physician practice assessment] doctors in Rosthern, Mr. Speaker, and there’s two new SIPPA doctors with a third arriving soon. And those doctors service the community of Duck Lake, Mr. Speaker, to specifically address this challenge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Love: — Mr. Speaker, all we hear from this minister is that he says we’re working on it, we’re working on it. Well how would the folks in Duck Lake and area know that they’re working on it when they never received a reply from that government and their beds are still empty?

People shouldn’t have to beg for two years and then drive four hours to Regina and advocate in front of the whole province just to get a “we’re working on it” from that minister. So to the minister: why should people who live around Duck Lake go without the health care that they need and deserve?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as I said, I met with that community and I was happy to do that. And I expressed to the community my regret that they did not receive a reply. That should not have happened. And I invited them . . . I gave them my personal phone number, Mr. Speaker. They are free to call me at any time if they have concerns. They understood and appreciated very much the efforts that we are going through to address their concerns, Mr. Speaker.

They were also very pleased to hear, Mr. Speaker, that that plan that I’ve referenced, the health human resources action plan, is having significant results across the province, Mr. Speaker.

I mentioned these results last week, Mr. Speaker, but I’ll mention them again. Communities like North Battleford have received 97 new positions as a result of that plan. Prince Albert has 69 positions. Moose Jaw has 47 positions; Yorkton, 30; Swift Current, 29; Weyburn, 28. And as I said, Mr. Speaker, I can go on and on, communities across this province that have received additional supports through the health human resources action plan which is the most ambitious plan of its kind in the country.

Mr. Love: — Mr. Speaker, it certainly isn’t just Duck Lake that that minister is failing. There are 1,600 people who live on-reserve in Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation. Of those 1,600 residents, 1,000 do not have access to a family doctor. They have to drive to Rosthern and pray that the ER [emergency room] is actually open on that day.

Now maybe the member for Rosthern-Shellbrook knows for himself what the odds are of that ER being open. Does the minister think that this is an acceptable state of health care for the people of Beardy’s?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — No, Mr. Speaker, it’s not an acceptable state of the health care on Beardy’s Okemasis, which is an Indigenous reserve, which is federally funded health care, Mr. Speaker. And I specifically spoke about this with the chief from Beardy’s and Okemasis, Mr. Speaker.

The reference that they’re making to a health care facility that is a federal responsibility is certainly a concern, Mr. Speaker. However I committed to the chief and to that delegation that we would be happy to continue to work with them to ensure that the federal government meets their commitments in health care on-reserve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Love: — Mr. Speaker, I’ll remind the minister we had these leaders here from the RM, from the town, from the care home, and from Beardy’s who did not get an answer from this minister when they wrote him two years ago. They did not get an answer from this government.

They left home at 5:30 in the morning to come here. Is that the kind of treatment that they received when they came here, knowing the system and its failures well? Did that minister give those leaders, especially the chief from Beardy’s, that same treatment and that same out-of-touch answer when they met here last week?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, when I met with the delegation last week, I explained the facts to them. I explained the situation, that we understand that they are experiencing challenges. They understand, Mr. Speaker. We understand and acknowledge that this is a challenge across the province and across the country, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I committed to that delegation that we would continue to work with them with regard to making sure that the federal government meets their obligations to the reserve and to the First Nations members there, Mr. Speaker. And I also committed to that delegation, Mr. Speaker, that we are continuing to work on the situation in Duck Lake and Rosthern to ensure that they have the health care services that they expect. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Provision of Care for Addictions

Ms. Nippi-Albright: — Mr. Speaker, the facts are the mental health and addictions crisis continues to take lives in our province. And the crisis continues to have a disproportionate impact on First Nation and Métis people in Saskatchewan.

We know from the coroner that the majority of those that are dying are First Nation and Métis. Just this past week and weekend we lost more people in the Touchwood Hills. One of those people is being buried today. Mr. Speaker, enough’s enough.

When will the Sask Party work with Indigenous communities on evidence-based solutions like the Poundmaker Cree Nation Cree treatment centre to help to stop this crisis that is taking the lives of too many First Nation and Métis people in this province?

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll begin by extending our sincere condolences to the families of all those who have lost a loved one to this addictions crisis, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we understand very well that helping people overcome their addictions and supporting their recovery will save lives. It will heal families and it will strengthen communities, Mr. Speaker.

The member opposite speaks about addictions treatment, specifically targeting Indigenous members of society, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have addictions treatment spaces, as she said, Poundmaker in North Battleford, Mr. Speaker. We’ve also announced addictions treatment spaces in Onion Lake, Mr. Speaker. We have addictions treatment spaces at Muskeg Lake in Pinehouse, Mr. Speaker.

We also have addictions treatment spaces, Mr. Speaker, of every other variety across the continuum of care to ensure that everyone in Saskatchewan receives the treatment that they need so that they can live healthy lives in recovery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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