When debate resumed in the legislature this past Monday, the budget remained a prime focus, but so too did health care and the budget’s impact on it.
One exchange between Premier Brad Wall and Opposition Leader Cam Broten was on the quality of health care for people with dementia. But later on, the topic moved on again to the hyperbaric chamber in Moose Jaw and whether it would be relocated elsewhere, an issue that had come up earlier in March when Jim and Gail Sack visited the legislature from the Battlefords to make their case for its continued use.
NDP member for Riversdale Danielle Chartier rose on the issue in the legislature.
Ms. Chartier: — Since early 2013, the health minister has been saying over and over again that a hyperbaric chamber will not be included in the new Moose Jaw Hospital. On March 11th, just a couple weeks ago, a Ministry of Health official said definitively that, “It will not be a part of the Moose Jaw Hospital.” But on Thursday the premier said, “Its presence in the new Moose Jaw Hospital is potentially an option . . .” And then the health minister went out into the rotunda and told reporters, “We will look at what it would cost to add some additional space to the Moose Jaw Hospital.”
Was the Health minister accurate when he said this government is actually looking at adding additional space to the Moose Jaw Hospital for the hyperbaric chamber?
Health Minister Dustin Duncan responded.
Hon. Mr. Duncan: —Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the member opposite. Unfortunately she cut off the rest of what I had to say out in the rotunda, which happens a lot around here. Mr. Speaker, I said it was highly unlikely that that was going to be the case, to add it to the new hospital. But what I said was in the analysis that we’re doing in terms of building new space in an existing facility, looking at adding space to that facility, as well as what it would cost to provide the services 100 per cent out of the province, Mr. Speaker, we’re going to do an analysis of all of what those costs would be — the upfront capital costs as well as the ongoing costs, Mr. Speaker — before we make any decisions.
Chartier pressed on.
Ms. Chartier: — For several years this government has been adamant, adamant, Mr. Speaker, that the hyperbaric chamber will not be in the new Moose Jaw Hospital. But now the premier says it’s an option, and the health minister says the government is actually looking at adding additional space to the hospital. He said that last week, Mr. Speaker. That is what both of them said on Thursday. So to the minister: when did this government start looking at adding additional space to the new Moose Jaw Hospital?
Duncan stood firm, while being dismissive of the line of questioning.
Hon. Mr. Duncan: — Mr. Speaker, I would . . . Not to give advice to the member opposite, but maybe just dispense with the script and ask a different question because I just said, Mr. Speaker, I just said that as we’re doing the analysis, we’re looking at all the different costs that it would entail, Mr. Speaker, as well as adding space to the facility that is currently under construction. Mr. Speaker, we’ll use all that information to make our analysis and make our decision.
But I can say that we’re very excited about the new Moose Jaw Hospital, Mr. Speaker, the fact that it’ll add an additional MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] to southern Saskatchewan to serve the people of this province. And in fact I think it’s important to note, Mr. Speaker, when the foundation approached the government to be able to raise money for additional space as well as a piece of equipment, it was the foundation as well as the region agreeing that the highest priority was an MRI, Mr. Speaker. That’s what the foundation has raised the money for.
When Chartier resumed questioning, she raised the familiar NDP subject of Lean consultants once again.
Ms. Chartier: — Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, the minister should lean over and talk to his boss about what he said on Thursday.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Ministry of Health was firm that the hyperbaric chamber will not be in the new Moose Jaw Hospital. But now the Sask. Party government is scrambling, and they’re actually looking at adding space to the new hospital after letting their high-priced Lean consultants shrink the design way too far. This is the exact same thing that happened in Saskatoon. This government let its Lean consultants shrink the size of the children’s hospital, then it scrambled to add space back into the design.
To the minister: when did his analysis start? How much analysis has been done? And how much will this cost to add more space? I’d like to know, Mr. Speaker.
Duncan responded.
Hon. Mr. Duncan: —Well, Mr. Speaker, I’ll maybe just correct the member opposite once again in this House. Mr. Speaker, the reason why we had to add additional space to the children’s hospital, Mr. Speaker, is because of the fact that this province was growing at even a faster rate than this side of the House thought possible.
… That is great news for the province.
I know the members opposite don’t like that, Mr. Speaker, but we’re a growing province. We’re a province that people want to move to because of jobs and opportunity, and most of all, Mr. Speaker, because there’s not an NDP government and there’s not one anywhere in sight.
While house activities on Tuesday saw the usual back-and-forth exchanges in Question Period, it also was an afternoon of remembrance as the legislature paid tribute to several former MLAs who had passed away during the last few months.
Motions of condolence were passed in memory of Edgar Kaeding, former cabinet minister and MLA for Saltcoats; Walter Smishek, also a former NDP cabinet minister and MLA for Regina Northeast; Serge Kujawa, former Crown prosecutor and MLA for Regina Albert South; former Progressive Conservative leader of the Opposition Dick Collver, MLA for Nipawin; and Lindy Kasperski, former Regina Sherwood MLA.
