Dozens gather for health-care rally in Saskatoon

Several dozen people gathered at the University of Saskatchewan for a health-care rally on Saturday.

Canadian Union of Public Employees flags waved across the crowd as everyone began the walk down to Kinsmen Park.

Barb Byers, a member of the board of the Saskatchewan Health Coalition (SHC), explained what the rally was all about.

“A public display to support health care in our province,” said Byers. “It’s our chance to voice that we want public health care supported, and that doesn’t mean giving money to a lot of private entrepreneurs.”

The SHC says its goal is for Saskatchewan people get quality care where and when they need it.

Byers said the hope for the rally was to draw attention to the state of health care in Saskatchewan.

“There are solutions that can be done,” said Byers. “We want a robust public system that is publicly delivered, publicly administered, and publicly paid for.”

At the rally were families who have had to go out of the province so their children could receive the help they needed.

Recently, a Saskatchewan family was at the Legislature talking about how they have to take their daughter to Toronto to receive care. The family was at the Legislative Building two weeks ago to ask for help with the travel costs from the health minister.

Byres said that is heartbreaking to see.

“This is tragic, because that’s not the health-care system people fought for,” said Byers. “We know there’s going to be specialties from time to time … but it shouldn’t be the norm.”

Since the family originally raised concerns, the Government of Saskatchewan has changed its policy, agreeing to pay for travel and expenses when a family needs to leave the province for a child’s care.

Byres said she wants to see a health-care system in Saskatchewan that serves the people who live in this province.