By TERRY PUGH
Health care challenges dominated the bear pit session at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention in Regina April 15.
SUMA delegates pressed Premier Scott Moe and Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill on issues ranging from the lack of primary care physicians and the slow pace of negotiations with health care unions to the difficulties facing kidney dialysis patients in small towns.
The government, meanwhile, is confident its recently-released plan to expand access to primary care will go a long way toward meeting those challenges.
The document, entitled, ‘Patients First Health Care Plan: Right Care Right Time’ focuses on expanding access, modernizing facilities, and increasing the scope of health care professionals.
“The goal of the plan is to improve patient outcomes, particularly with regard to more timely diagnostics and surgeries,” said Moe. “We want everyone in the province to have access to a primary health care provider. We are investing heavily in health care, and we’re targeting those investments to where they will do the most good.”
Moe said a key component of the plan is to expand the role of nurse practitioners (NP) in delivering frontline primary care to residents across the province. He noted that NPs have advanced training and can assess, diagnose, treat, prescribe and refer patients.
Their role is not to replace family physicians, but to bridge the gap in patient access, he added.
Cockrill said the provincial health care plan aims to “expand team-based opportunities” for health care providers.
“We’re consulting with physicians to build out their entire teams to include Licensed Practical Nurses, social workers and other professionals,” said Cockrill. “We’re encouraging everyone to work to the top of their scope of practice.”
Cockrill added that while virtual care is a component of the provincial plan, it’s not designed to replace in-person medical care at facilities in communities across the province.
“Virtual care is meant to augment the service provided by hospitals and primary clinics,” he said. “It’s another access door. Virtual care is important to have but we can’t go fully away from in-person care anytime soon. That’s not putting patients first.”
Cockrill said the province envisions an expanded role for NPs in emergency departments at hospitals and clinics. The province is also adding an additional 20 seats to the College of Medicine this September to train more Saskatchewan students and provided them with the opportunity to practice in smaller centres earlier in their careers.
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS
Several SUMA delegates took Cabinet members to task on the growing problem of homelessness, addictions and public safety.
Saskatoon City Councillor Robert Pearce questioned the provincial government’s recently-announced Provincial Approach to Homelessness (PATH) plan, pointing out that it lacks concrete targets and timelines.
“The PATH framework is not a homelessness reduction plan,” said Pearce. “There are no accountability measures included for handling this crisis. Homelessness in Saskatoon has nearly tripled, and it’s growing worse.”
Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said homelessness is high priority for the government.
“We will continue to partner with service providers, with our municipal and federal counterparts, and with Indigenous and community organizations across the province to help people in need transition to stable housing, remain successfully housed, and achieve a better quality of life,” said Jenson.
He noted that the provincial government launched the $40.2 million PATH investment in October, 2025. An additional $20 million is also allocated to the initiative over the next three years. Priorities include multi-year funding for municipalities to support expansion of emergency shelter spaces and new supportive housing spaces with expanded trusteeship services to support income assistance clients.
“The whole intent of this provincial approach to homelessness is to collaborate and consult with municipalities and Indigenous groups and community organizations to address not just homelessness, but also why people find themselves in that situation, and what we can do to get them housed,” said Jenson.
RECYCLING QUESTIONS
Delisle Mayor Deb Winder asked a pointed question about the continuing uncertainty regarding the impending Extended Producers Responsibility recycling program that will be managed by a third-party, non-profit agency known as SK Recycles. The program is supposed to begin in 2028, but several details remain unanswered, including whether municipalities could be on the hook for unforeseen costs.
“The roll-out of this program really needs improved communication,” said Winder. “If municipalities agree to the program, is it free to us once it’s rolled out, or will there be a charge-back if we’re over a certain contamination level? Is the government having further discussions for clarity on how this program and potential charge-back will work?”
Environment Minister Darlene Rowden conceded that municipal governments have raised legitimate questions about the impending program.
“We hear your concerns and we’ll have further dialogue with SK Recycles,” said Rowden. “I encourage you to continue to talk with SK Recycles every chance you get. They have a wealth of knowledge and information.
“I recognize there are growing pains with implementing this new system,but we’re committed to making it work.”
CANCER PATIENT FEES
Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky urged the provincial Cabinet members to “soften the hard-line policy” obligating cancer patients to pay for parking when they are taking treatments at hospitals.
Noting that cancer touches virtually every family in the province in some way, Powalinsky said years ago, cancer patients taking treatment were allowed to park for free. That policy was changed in the last few years.
“I realize there is a hard policy that parking revenues pay for health care,” said Powalinsky, “But can you soften the hard line and show compassion for people who are at the lowest point in their lives?”
Cockrill said “unfortunately, infrastructure has costs to maintain,” and the province has to balance that with patients have the best possible treatment.
He added, however, that the Saskatchewan Health Authority is reviewing parking policies, and more discussion will take place in the coming months.