REGINA - Here is an update on the latest happenings this week at the Saskatchewan Legislature on some of the hot issues that have been debated lately.
On Monday, members of the Assembly finally voted on the NDP motion from Rural and Remote Health Critic Meara Conway to ban the use of virtual doctors for patients giving birth or experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
But that motion saw an amendment from Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr, that all words following “That the Assembly” be replaced with “commends the Saskatchewan Health Authority and health care providers for continuously looking for new ways to expand health care services in all parts of Saskatchewan, including making virtual health care services available to people in rural and northern areas of Saskatchewan.”
It was that amendment that ended up supported by the Sask Party majority and it carried 32-14. The main motion as amended was carried 47-0.
There has also been a change on the issue of support services for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. The previous week, the Opposition had railed against a $500,000 funding reduction in settlement services for Ukrainian refugees coming to Saskatchewan, resulting in the layoff of six people.
But it appears a new funding deal is on the way. Minister of Finance Jim Reiter said in the Assembly Monday that he had “asked my deputy minister to reach out to the executive director of the UCC. They’ve had some very good discussions, I understand, and they’ve been providing additional services, Mr. Speaker, but services that are very important.
“So they’ve been having contract negotiations, Mr. Speaker, and I believe within just a matter of days there’ll be an announcement on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
This was welcome news to Opposition MLA Keith Jorgenson, who had raised the issue last week.
“I’m beyond happy to hear that, Mr. Minister. Thank you for reconsidering these cuts,” he said, adding “but I do have to wonder why such a decision was made in the first place.”
Also on Monday, opposition New Democrats were raising concerns about a francophone school in Ponteix that they characterized as falling apart.
Officials representing the school were at the Legislature raising the issue. Among the complaints cited was that students had to use a hallway with broken gym mats as a gymnasium, an overflowing school library with books in baskets on the floor, and students having to study in classrooms that were so so small they could hardly move.
In response to reporters, Minister of Education Everett Hindley said their ministry received a request from the school division back in February for the coming capital budget year 2026-27, and those would be included in conversations with school divisions and boards as they prioritize projects. He said it was his understanding this was a fairly new request.
“We are obviously aware of it and that’s where it currently is in the process,” said Hindley.
