Saskatchewan Minute: Arbitration Panel, Health Documentary, and Rising Crime Rates

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• Saskatchewan continues to lead Canada in crime rates, according to the RCMP's latest Crime Severity Index. The province has seen dramatic increases in various crime categories, including a 275% rise in homicides and a 271% rise in violent firearm offenses. The RCMP reports a 33% increase in assaults and a 79% increase in assaults on officers. To address these concerns, the RCMP is focusing on recruitment, increased community visibility, and collaboration with local leaders. This marks the 25th consecutive year Saskatchewan has topped the crime severity index.
  
  
• There is good news for those heading to Saskatchewan's lakes and campgrounds. The provincial fire ban is no longer in effect. This change applies to all Crown lands, provincial parks, and recreation sites north of the provincial forest boundary and in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. However, local fire bans or restrictions may still be in effect in some areas. Recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have reduced fire hazards.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) and the Province are one step closer to resolving their contract dispute after nominating members for an arbitration panel. Teachers have been working without a contract since last August, leading to strikes and job actions. Both sides agreed to arbitration last month to address pay and classroom complexity. Dawn Harkness, a retired teacher and principal, has been nominated by the STF, while the Province chose Greg Chatlain, former director of education for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. Daniel Ish, a former law professor, has been selected as the arbitrator, but dates for the arbitration are yet to be set.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Province has allocated $2 million to Food Banks of Saskatchewan over the next two years to address a critical shortage of supplies. The first installment of this funding will be disbursed next month to help food banks manage increased food costs and inflation. Food Banks of Saskatchewan, serving over 44,000 people monthly, is reporting a severe depletion of resources. The funds will be distributed to 36 communities based on population and usage, with Regina receiving $260,000 annually.
  
  
• Our friends at Second Street released a documentary called Health Reform Now, highlighting several key issues and potential solutions. The documentary notes that 17,032 patients died on waiting lists in Canada between April 2022 and March 2023, with significant increases in waiting times for heart surgeries and scans. The documentary suggests activity-based funding as a solution, where hospitals are funded per patient treated, unlike the current global budgeting method. It also proposes partnering with private clinics, reimbursing surgeries abroad, and allowing patients to choose between public and private options as ways to improve efficiency.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan Residential School Memorial has added new interpretative panels and metal silhouettes of children, which are being warmly received by survivors. The panels, unveiled at Government House in Regina, aim to enhance the memorial's impact and provide historical context. Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty noted that these additions fill a previous gap by representing the children affected by the residential schools.