NDP reveals low staffing at Saskatchewan Cancer Agency as Moe announces increase to disability tax credit

The Saskatchewan NDPis sounding the alarm about"widespread problems of short-staffing" at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, including allegations that patientshave died before being seen by a doctor.

The allegations are part of abriefing note prepared by the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU).

The document outlines how the agency, which has more than900 employees, is facing significant challenges related to "staffing, workload and employee well-being," as well as limited space and resources.

Those issues cause burnout and mental health issues, which in turn reducepatient safety and quality of care, according to the note.

"Today we see in black and white that not only is there a problem, not only have [the Saskatchewan Party]ignored the the solutions put forward by health-care workerspeople are literally dying without getting the treatment they need," said NDP Leader Carla Beckduring a news conference Tuesday in Regina.

Becksaidthe document was distributed to the partyin September.

The Sask. Party confirmed that then-Health Minister Everett Hindley met with SGEU representatives that month.

"These concerns were raised with the [Ministry of Health]to address directly with the Sask. Cancer Agency and that work is ongoing," said a statement.

The party also pointed to the $248.6-million budget for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, an increase of more than $26.1 millionover the year before, and alluded to a plan by Hindley to "move forward" with a patient-focused nursing task force.

An anonymous testimonial in the briefing note, provided by a registered nurse, highlightsthat "patients have died before being seen because physicians couldn't physically take any more in their day."

Another registered nurse saidthat when theyleaveon a Friday and there are still patients in the triage queue that need assistancethey "feel physically ill," have nightmares and "feel responsible for not being able to phone them all."

The SGEU highlightedthat many of these problems could be fixed with the hiring of more nurses, physicians, pharmacists and support staff, while offering bonuses or career advancement could help retain the staff that are working now.

That's precisely how Beck saidshe plans to address the problem if the NDP form government after the provincial election on Oct. 28.

She saidthe party is committed to putting$1.1 billion into the health-care system, with a focus on hiring, training, recruiting and retaining front-line health-care workers.

"Now this election you have a choice. You can vote for more of the same more delayed tests, more long waitlists, more overworked nurses and doctors and health-care workers, and more unseen patients dying before they get the care that they need or you can vote for change," said Beck.

Moe promises to address disability program

Meanwhile on the campaign trail in North Battleford, Sask., on Tuesday, Sask.Party Leader Scott Moe promised to increase the exemption limit for the province's disability program.

He also announced a plan to boost apackage of tax credits for persons with disabilities if the party is re-elected on Oct. 28.

Moe said a Sask.Party government would hikethe Disability Tax Credit for adults, the Disability Tax Credit Supplement for children and the Caregiver Tax Credit by 25 per cent.

That works out to an additional $286 for each credit, per year.

"This will go a long ways for this government in this province to be the very best place in Canada for people living with the disability and for their families," Moe said.

Moe also announced a plan to boost the income exemption limit under the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program by $1,000.

The program, better known as SAID, helps people access long-term income support and other services. It was first introduced by the Sask.Party in 2009.

NDPto freeze small-business tax rate

Another announcement by the NDPon Tuesday re-highlighted their commitment as announced in their platform to freeze the small-business tax rate.

NDP candidate Aleana Young (Regina South Albert) sought to contrast the policy with the Sask.Party's decision in its2024-25 budget.

That document indicated the rate would be held at oneper cent until it was scheduled to be increased to two per cent on June 30, 2025.

"[The increase] isjust not what the economy needs right now," said Young, who is herself a small business owner.