Byelections a Big Test for the Sask. Party

Think of the long-awaited three provincial as a bit of a mini-general election - a test run for the October 2024 campaign to come. Of course, it’s not quite that. In fact, the results on August 10th the byelection votes won’t change anything now and probably won’t be a very good predictor of what Saskatchewan voters will do 15 months from now.

When the province’s 30th general election rolls around most are expecting to see what we’ve all seen after the last four elections; a comfortable Saskatchewan Party majority based on their lock-solid support in rural ridings and enough support from the cities.

Yes, it would be incredibly telling if any party other than the Sask. Party won Lumsden-Morse that has been vacant since March after the retirement of Lyle Stewart for health reasons, but that seems unlikely. The Sask. Party has won every rural seat for the last three general elections and has never lost a rural seat in a byelection since it came into being in 1997.

Regina Walsh Acres and Regina Coronation Park are more intriguing in that they are seats that were last represented by the Sask. Party MLAs in north Regina that has a long history of NDP representation in that area. Coronation Park became open when former speaker Mark Docherty announced his retirement in February and Walsh Acres became open due to the death of Derek Myers in March. Both were valued community MLAs that connected well with voters.

In fact, Docherty created quite a stir on a recent podcast when be said by the end of his tenure as a government MLA, he was struggling to explain to voters why they should continue to vote for the Sask. Party. It is here where the three byelections amounted to a minireferendum in advance of next year’s provincewide vote.

Losing one of both city seats will just not have much effect on the current political landscape. It’s arguably as crucial for new NDP Leader Carla Beck to regain both of the city seats her party once held. (The NDP held Coronation Park until 2011 and lost Walsh Acres in the 2020 elections). Expectations are high for the NDP, but for Premier Scott and his Sask. Party government, these current byelections are an interesting measure of how government is managing diverse challenges.

In Lumsden-Morse, Saskatchewan United Party (SUP) candidate Jon Hromek is running hard on family value issues, centred around the controversy in which Planned Parenthood brought into a Grade 9 Lumsden classroom age-inappropriate material into the school that was obtained by one of the students.

Education Minister Dustin Duncan has temporarily banned Planned Parenthood from providing any sex education lectures until a complete run of their material and curriculum is complete (both the school and Duncan himself acknowledge that there was nothing inappropriate about the actual presentation.)

Hromek and SUP say Moe and the Sask. Party are not taking the issue seriously enough; however, city voters seem more interested in local issues like jobs, homelessness and housing and inflation costs partly driven by increased utility rates.

It represents a healthy division between rural and urban people. In Regina and possibly Saskatoon, Moe’s hammering on the federal Liberal government and the NDP connection through their federal leader Jagmeet Singh doesn’t seem to be quite as effective.

That said, many rural people have similar frustrations about jobs and inflation and what may be shaping to a tough crop year hit by drought. Crop quality varies, even in the Lumsden-Morse riding where there has been a lack of rain on the west side of the riding and exactly how Moe and the Sask. Party balances off the wide-ranging issues and pressures from both the right and the left may turn into a good test run for the coming election.

Government Increases Seniors Income Plan Benefit

The Government of Saskatchewan is investing an additional $3 million in the Seniors Income Plan (SIP) this year, helping approximately 14,500 seniors with low income enjoy a better quality of life.

"I am proud to announce our government's continued commitment to making life more affordable for seniors," Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said. "This increase to the Seniors Income Plan represents an investment to support positive outcomes for Saskatchewan people."

On July 1, 2023, the maximum monthly benefit increased $30 per month from $330 to $360 for single seniors, and from $295 to $325 per month each for married partners for a total of $650 per month.

SIP provides seniors with financial assistance to help meet their basic needs, in addition to income they receive through the Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Eligible seniors automatically receive this benefit based on the filing of their most recent income tax return.

This fulfills the Government of Saskatchewan's three-year commitment to increase SIP benefits. This is also the eighth increase since 2008, when maximum benefits for single seniors were $90 per month.

For more information about SIP, please visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/family-and-socialsupport/seniors-services/financial-help-for-seniors.

Innovative Service Improves Access To Care For Saskatchewan Patients

The Government of Saskatchewan is reminding patients and providers of a free tool to increase accessibility of medical appointments. Up and running since June 2022, the Saskatchewan Virtual Visit Program allows patients to connect with their health care provider from home, or a location of their choice, using audio or video conferencing. Patients may also choose to have family members or support persons with them during the consultation.

Health care providers across Saskatchewan including physicians, nurses, mental health professionals and allied health care professionals (such as physiotherapists) can use the Saskatchewan Virtual Visit Program to connect with patients.

"Our goal is to ensure that Saskatchewan residents, regardless of where they live may easily connect with their health care providers," Minister of Health Paul Merriman said. "The program improves access to care, reduces the need to travel for patients in rural settings, and allows providers to treat patients in a more timely fashion, on a schedule that works for them."

The Virtual Visit Program is easy to use and will work on any mobile device via web browser or the dedicated mobile app, from anywhere in Saskatchewan, including in low bandwidth environments. The "Saskatchewan Virtual Visit" app can be downloaded on your mobile phone. The Saskatchewan Virtual Visit Program is free and patients are reminded that at no time will the provider ask for payment.

Patients who feel the Virtual Visit Program is a good option for them should speak to their health care provider to request a virtual visit option. Participating physicians will email an invitation that contains further instructions. The highest health industry standards with regard to privacy, security, and reliability are assured while using the program. Patients and health care providers can find more information on saskatchewan.ca.

Saskatchewan Now Offering Large Training Bursaries to Support Future Paramedics

The Government of Saskatchewan is now offering financial supports for individuals interested in pursuing a frontline paramedic career in Saskatchewan. Training bursaries will be available to students and new graduates of paramedic programs who commit to joining Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Saskatchewan. The bursaries will be administered by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

"Having stable and reliable emergency medical services that meet patients’ needs in our communities is a priority of our government," Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley said. "This includes training more paramedics to work in the Saskatchewan EMS field and supporting them with incentives, especially in rural communities."

One-time funding of $530,000 will provide a total of 58 bursaries to support paramedic training for EMS providers within the province. Bursaries will range from $5,000 to $10,000.

"These bursaries demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of our health care workforce and the provision of high-quality emergency medical services," Executive Director, Provincial Clinical and Support ServicesCommunity Care, Saskatchewan Health Authority Rod Mackenzie said. "Paramedics are a crucial component to the health care system and by investing in the education and training of paramedics, we are nurturing the next generation of dedicated health care professionals who will play a vital role in delivering critical care to our communities."

"This shows real progress in acknowledging paramedics as vital and trusted health professionals," Paramedic Services Chiefs of Saskatchewan (PSCS) President Steven Skoworodko said. "Government's support to recruit and retain additional paramedics for the province is appreciated."

Paramedic training programs in Saskatchewan are primarily offered through Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Saskatchewan's regional colleges. Medavie HealthEd also provides an Advanced Care Paramedic program.

To qualify for bursaries, candidates need to meet the following criteria; Be accepted into, or a new graduate of, a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) program, Pass pre-employment screening process through the Saskatchewan Health Authority or a contracted EMS provider, Sign a return for service agreement for a minimum of two years employment with ground EMS in Saskatchewan, operated by the SHA or a contracted EMS provider, ACP candidates will need to sign the agreement with services currently designated as, or prioritized for, future Advanced Life Support designation.

For more details visit https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/careers-volunteering/careers/career-profiles/ emergency-medical-services/paramedic-training-bursaries

Primary Care Paramedic training seats at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Saskatchewan's regional colleges were recently increased to 252. These seats are part of a major expansion of health care training opportunities with more than 550 new training seats in 18 high demand health occupations announced earlier this year. All new Primary Care Paramedic training seats will be available in fall 2023.

In 2023-24, nearly $100 million is being invested into Saskatchewan's Health Human Resources (HHR) Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain more health care professionals. Details on health care opportunities, how to access them and more information on the province's HHR Action Plan are available at saskatchewan.ca/HHR.