The provincial auditor’s report released last week further clarified the challenges facing Saskatchewan patients in accessing mental health care, stating that “long waits can lead to people’s conditions getting worse, and in some cases, waits can even contribute to death.”

Psychiatrist Sarah Dungavell, who practices in La Ronge and Saskatoon, says that “waitlists across the province remain too high and my colleagues and I are unable to see patients soon enough.”

With the Sask. Party government failing to take significant action to address this issue, the NDP is stepping forward to propose concrete, evidence-based initiatives to increase mental health care supports and promote better outcomes.

“The mental health needs throughout the province are urgent,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “We’re calling for a number of simple solutions that can improve the lives of our friends and neighbours struggling with mental health challenges. Investing in mental health services improves lives and leads to significant downstream savings. It’s the right thing and the smart thing to do.”

Meili is calling for a number of initiatives that would help address the challenges people face when trying to get the care they need:

• An increase in the health budget for mental health from the current five per cent to at least the national average of seven per cent, as promised by the premier during his run for leadership, but not delivered in the 2018/19 budget;
• Hiring of additional mental health support staff like psychiatric nurses, psychologists and social workers and increasing availability of publicly-funded counselling services;
• Supports for crisis intervention, including adequate funding for the mental health ER in Saskatoon, and the introduction of more such facilities in other communities;
• Expanding addictions supports, with special attention to crystal meth and fentanyl;
• Provincial involvement in the proposed Lac La Ronge Indian Band wellness centre;
• The development of a province-wide suicide prevention strategy that works alongside that being developed by the FSIN.

“We have heard the Sask. Party talk about supporting mental health, but what we need them to do is to take meaningful action,” said NDP Health Critic Danielle Chartier. “Far too many people are suffering and can’t get proper access to care. We’ve heard from families and mental health professionals that solutions – not just talk – are urgently needed.”

For Immediate Release

May 2, 2018

Regina – Yens Pedersen was nominated tonight to be Saskatchewan NDP candidate for the upcoming Regina Northeast by-election.   

“The Sask. Party has been taking people’s support for granted. This by-election is a chance for the people of Regina Northeast to send a message to the government that they are fed up with the Sask. Party paying for their mismanagement through cuts on the backs of the most vulnerable,” saidPedersen.

Yens Pedersen grew up on a small family farm near Cut Knife. He has worked as a lawyer in Regina for 20 years, representing family owned businesses, farmers, and individuals.

Yens is an active community member teaching beekeeping classes and having served on various non-profit boards and on the School Community Council at his daughters' school.

“Yens will be a strong voice in the Legislature for the people of Regina Northeast,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “New Democrats packed the hall tonight and I know we'll be working hard every day from now until the by-election to elect this dedicated community leader."

New Democrats selected Lorne Schroeder to be their candidate in the upcoming by-election in Melfort.   

“The Sask. Party’s heartless cuts are making life more difficult for Saskatchewan people,” said Schroeder. “This by-election is an opportunity for the people of this constituency to send a clear message that the Sask. Party needs to stop making Saskatchewan people pay the price for their mismanagement.”

Schroeder is an organic beef farmer near LeRoy where he lives with his wife Theresa. They have five children and ten grandchildren. Schroeder has always been very active in the community. He served one term as the Reeve for the RM of Leroy, he serves on the board of the Farmer Direct Co-op and he has previously served as the LeRoy School Board Chair, on the LeRoy Credit Union board, LeRoy Ball club, curling club and Kinsmen Club.

“Lorne has deep roots in the community and he is a strong voice for rural Saskatchewan,” said NDP Interim Leader Nicole Sarauer. “Lorne is passionate about seeing everyone succeed and will speak out for everyone whose lives have been made more difficult by the Sask. Party’s heartless cuts.”

You can find out more about Lorne, donate to his campaign, pledge your vote or sign up to volunteer on his website at: http://www.saskndp.ca/schroeder

New Democrats selected Stefan Rumpel to be their candidate in the upcoming by-election in Swift Current.   

“The Sask. Party’s heartless cuts to our hospitals and classrooms are hurting Saskatchewan People” said Rumpel. “This by-election is an opportunity for the people of this constituency to send a clear message that the Sask. Party needs to stop making Saskatchewan people pay the price for their mismanagement.”

Rumpel is a teacher at Swift Current Comprehensive High School and artist who is deeply involved in his community.  He has volunteered on the Chautauqua Theatre Festival organizing committee, served on the Saskatchewan Drama Association board and is the owner and manager of Swift Current Improvisational Theatre.

“Stefan is deeply rooted in his community and is a strong voice for education,” said NDP Interim Leader Nicole Sarauer. “As a teacher Stefan sees the impacts of the Sask. Party’s heartless cuts to our classrooms every day.”

You can find out more about Lorne, donate to his campaign, pledge your vote or sign up to volunteer on his website at:  http://www.saskndp.ca/rumpel

For Immediate Release

September 16, 2017

NEW DATE FOR SASKATCHEWAN NDP LEADERSHIP CONVENTION

MOOSE JAW— The date of the election of a new leader of the Saskatchewan New Democrats will be March 3, 2018.  

The Provincial Council of the Saskatchewan New Democrats met today in Moose Jaw where they voted to change the date from May 6, 2018. 

Important dates in the Leadership are:

• Deadline to enter the race to run for leader is January 12, 2018.
• Deadline to purchase a membership to be eligible to vote in the Leadership will be January 19, 2018.
• Leadership Convention will be March 3, 2018 in Regina.

Registration to become a leadership candidate requires:

-          The candidate to be a member in good standing of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party;

-          The candidate to provide the signatures of no fewer than 200 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party members in good standing who support the candidate’s nomination, and who represent a minimum of forty provincial constituencies. At least 100 of those signing must self-identify as women;

-          The candidate to provide a non-refundable registration fee of $4,000; 

-          The candidate to receive approval from the Saskatchewan NDP to seek the leadership; and

-          The candidate will limit campaign expenditures to a maximum of $200,000.

All Saskatchewan New Democratic Party members in good standing will be eligible to vote online or by mail-in ballot.

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For Immediate Release

July 24, 2017

Mowat to represent NDP in upcoming by-election

Saskatoon - New Democrats gathered in a packed hall this evening and selected Vicki Mowat to be their candidate in the upcoming by-election in Saskatoon Fairview.   

“The Sask. Party has made heartless cuts to the services people rely on in this province and people are fed up” said Mowat. “This by-election is an opportunity for the people of this constituency to send a clear message that the Sask. Party needs to stop making Saskatchewan people pay the price for their mismanagement, scandal and waste.”

Mowat was the NDP candidate for the constituency in 2016 and lives on the west-side of Saskatoon with her partner Grayson, a teacher. She works as the Executive Assistant to the Associate Dean of Aboriginal Affairs in the College of Arts & Science at the University of Saskatchewan. She previously worked as a Sessional Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Saskatchewan.

“In everything that she does, Vicki shows how hard-working, determined, and genuine she is,” said NDP Interim Leader Nicole Sarauer. “The results of the last election did not stop her from continuing to connect with people in her community and speaking out on their behalf. If elected, Vicki will be the strongest voice this area has seen in a very long time.”