Saskatchewan NDP leader Cam Broten visited Prince Albert Monday, calling for a halt on health care layoffs until after the provincial election on April 4.
“We received notice that there are layoffs occurring for frontline care providers here in the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region,” he said. “It doesn’t need to be this way. The SaskParty should cut its waste, they shouldn’t be cutting frontline health care workers.”
According to Broten, the SaskParty has not confirmed how many layoffs were planned.
“Everyone in Prince Albert knows that Victoria Hospital has been understaffed. We know it’s overcapacity on a regular basis. Hallway medicine is going on far too often … we’ve seen a doubling of wait times. That’s just plain wrong, that’s not where changes should be made,” Broten said.
He accused Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall of frivolous spending, such as sending location scouts ahead to hotels to examine five-star hotels and VIP lounges.
“That’s just one example of misplaced spending,” he said.
Broten also said the SaskParty has treated Prince Albert “horribly”.
“P.A. has time and time again had layoffs, the loss of good jobs in health care, the needs of the city neglected when we look at the need for a bridge. Heck, one of their MLAs just quit on them because he wasn’t interested in the job.”
Broten couldn’t confirm his plans for Victoria Hospital and health care in the region if elected, but did say he would work to cut administrative and health care consultation waste.