NDP Leader says doctors and nurses fleeing Alberta will be welcomed under an NDP Government
Saskatchewan New Democratic Party Leader Ryan Meili promised today to repair the province’s failing health care system and fix staffing in long-term care after years of health care cuts and privatization by the Sask. Party.
Under Ryan Meili, a New Democratic Party government would fund a health human resources plan to meet the staffing needs of Saskatchewan’s primary, acute and long term care systems. This funding would put hundreds more health care professionals on the front lines, including:
“The global pandemic has shown us the importance of a well-funded, high-quality health care system. The Sask. Party’s cuts have undermined health care in our province. All across the system, people are facing worryingly long wait times to get crucial treatment,” said Meili. “Cuts to health care are a bad idea in normal times – now, they are downright dangerous. It’s time for real investment that ensures Saskatchewan families have access to the care they need, when they need it.”
In 2017, the Sask. Party made repeated cuts to health care, leading to seniors in long-term care being neglected and not getting the care they deserve, as well as stories of patients in acute care being forced into hallways due to staffing shortages.
“All over Canada, we see what happens when conservative governments make deep cuts and privatize our healthcare. The Sask. Party’s reckless attempts to privatize and defund health care puts us all at risk of seeing doctors and nurses fleeing the province like we see in Alberta,“ said Meili. “I want to say to the many healthcare professionals that are being forced out of Alberta under a conservative government that they will be welcomed with open arms by an NDP government in Saskatchewan committed to creating the best health and long term care standards in the country.”
The plan to hire health care professionals would come with an investment of $100 million and be worked on in partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the appropriate professional associations and health care unions.
REGINA—The Saskatchewan New Democrats set the rules and timing for a leadership contest at Provincial Council on February 26th. The new leader will be elected at a leadership convention in Regina in late June, 2022.
All Saskatchewan New Democratic Party members in good standing will be eligible to vote online or by mail-in ballot.
REGINA—Saskatchewan New Democrats unanimously approved a solidarity motion with the people of Ukraine, as well as all Saskatchewan people with friends and family in the region at Provincial Council on February 26, 2022.
Standing with New Democratic Party candidate Melissa Patterson in Moose Jaw Wakamow today, NDP Leader Ryan Meili called on voters in his hometown to reject Scott Moe’s plan for dangerous cuts during a pandemic.