Saskatchewan Minute: Health Hub, Ratification Vote, and the House Leader Resigns

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

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Legislature is now in recess for the summer. It is not expected to return until after the election in the fall. As such, there will be limited legislative news, but likely many announcements related to the upcoming provincial election. Stay tuned for our comprehensive coverage in that area too!
  
  
• The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation will be holding a ratification vote on Wednesday and Thursday on a tentative new agreement with the Province. The agreement provides a 3% raise this year and next year, as well as a 2% raise in the third year. It will also include a framework to keep all parties accountable to the deal, an additional $18 million for dealing with classroom complexity, a policy on reducing violence in classrooms, and a task force to address complex issues.
  
  
• The Province will discontinue offering student aid to residents seeking post-secondary education in Russia, aligning with federal guidelines that support Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts. Advanced Education Minister Colleen Young emphasized that the government prioritizes the safety of its students and aims to ensure they study in secure and stable environments. The decision affects no current students, as there are presently no Saskatchewan students utilizing provincial aid for studies in Russia.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• Jeremy Harrison, the Government House Leader, resigned from his role following a dispute with the outgoing Speaker of the House, Randy Weekes, who accused him of being threatening and bringing a gun into the Legislature. Harrison said that the only time he ever brought a firearm into the Legislature was nearly a decade ago when he was going hunting on a weekend, and it remained in its case the entire time. Additionally, he said that Legislature security were entirely aware of its presence. Nevertheless, he apologized for this occurrence and Premier Scott Moe accepted his resignation.
  
  
• The University of Saskatchewan has received a $2  million donation from the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation to fund new pediatric research. Dr. Terry Klassen, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist and the new head of the provincial pediatric department, will oversee the fund, which aims to attract specialist doctors to the region by providing opportunities for cutting-edge research. This initiative is expected to facilitate significant developments in children's healthcare in Saskatchewan, enhancing the ability to participate in national medical trials and improve treatment access for children.
  
  
• A new Virtual Health Hub, designed to revolutionize healthcare delivery in rural and northern communities, was unveiled at Whitecap Dakota First Nation. The hope is that the Hub eliminates long drives for routine medical visits in rural and northern communities. Personnel will have the capability to evaluate patients located hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away and provide necessary treatment or triage. Additionally, various monitoring systems such as retinal scans, x-rays, and laboratory tests will be conducted remotely using specialized equipment dispatched to nursing stations and clinics. Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear believes this innovative approach will not only benefit Saskatchewan but also set a global standard in healthcare delivery. The Hub, likened to a "NASA-style command centre," will use tele-health and robotics to provide real-time care. Between the Province and the federal government, $9.1 million has been provided for the project.