Saskatchewan is facing a health care crisis, but Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party government are planning to spend less on health care than they did last year.
Last year, the Saskatchewan government spent $8.022 billion on health care. The current budget allocates $8.004 billion in spending - a cut of $17.1 million.
“How can Scott Moe and his Sask Party ministers brag about a funding increase when they clearly plan on spending less on health care this year?” said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430. “Our members are struggling every day, but this government has nothing to offer except for rhetoric, and empty promises.”
CUPE 5430, the union representing over 14,000 health care workers across Saskatchewan, has repeatedly called on the government to focus on retention.
“There is nothing in this budget directed to putting more money in the pockets of those who are currently working in health care,” said Jalloh. “Without meaningful improvements to wages and working conditions, we will continue to see health care workers leave the province. We will continue to see facility closures, service disruptions and under staffing.”
CUPE 5430 is also concerned that the government continues to back programs that are clearly not working. For example, the Health Human Resource Action Plan that was launched in September of 2022 hasn’t moved the needle on staffing levels. Additionally:
- The Regina Urgent Care Center still isn’t open to full capacity.
- Saskatoon City Hospital is closing the emergency room early every day.
- Rural health care facilities across the province are facing service disruptions every single day.
- Patients are being sent to Calgary for basic diagnostic tests and surgeries.
“The bottom line is that health care workers deserve a raise. It is the most effective way to boost morale, and keep people working in our health care system,” said Jalloh. “The SHA needs to start by retaining and properly compensating those currently employed.”