Kevin Fallis is a long-time health care worker and the New Democratic Party candidate for the Humboldt Watrous constituency. Fallis resides on the western fringe of the redrawn constituency. As a health care practitioner and a union advocate for health care workers, Fallis has a front row view of the situation in health care, both in city hospitals and clinics in rural areas.
“I’m concerned over Scott Moe’s plans in the province signalling that they are going to make more cuts, and disrespect front line workers and health care workers” Fallis states. “We look after patients who are vulnerable who need care.”
Health care
Fallis is concerned about recent announcements stating that Regina’s two hospitals would be suspending services for patients requiring PICC lines, an intravenous transfer line for high volumes of blood to be transfused. They will also suspend insertion of shunt lines used in urinary tract procedures that prevent kidney damage.
“They are looking at closing this service twice coming up, so what they will have to do is send the patient from Regina to Saskatoon by ambulance. This is a costly venture for the families because most patients will be shipped out of the emergency and families will have to pay for the ambulance bill.”
It’s one of the many scenarios that concern Fallis heading into the upcoming election. The conversation with Fallis came at a time when the SHA announced another closure of the Lanigan Hospital Emergency Room with patients potentially rerouted to Watrous or Humboldt.
“There have been closures of emergency rooms in rural Saskatchewan all across this province. It is sad when people in an emergency situation cannot access the emergency room in their location. This is due to not investing in health care.”
Fallis rejects any assertion by the Sask Party that “it’s irresponsible to invest in health care or education.”
Education
“In education, we’re looking at putting in $2 billion. That will help to get back to 2016 funding rates for the current number of students. Over the last four years, we had 15,000 join, and we had only one additional teacher hired. There’s no way one teacher can teach 15,000 students.”
Fallis says the results included overcrowding, too few textbooks and resources, and too few personnel resources. Overcrowding leads to challenges in both morale and mental health, he maintains.
In rural Saskatchewan, you have problems with teacher access. It’s harder attracting them than it is to a city like Regina or Saskatoon.”
Affordability
Fallis suggests that the provincial gas tax is the first place to start when it comes to softening the strain on people’s pocketbooks.
“The NDP has asked for the gas tax to be lowered 17 cents per litre for six months. Repeatedly, the Sask Party has voted against it. This would save Saskatchewan residents approximately $350. It doesn’t sound like much but when you’re struggling to put food on the table, put gas in the car so you can get to work, or take your children to sporting events, it is important.”
Fallis maintains that the Moe government has increased taxes 31 times in one year, amounting to more than modest wage increases in the province can cover.
Summation
“This election is vital. We cannot afford another four years of Scott Moe mismanagement. After 17 long years, we should not be in last place for health care and education. We should not be struggling to put food on the table.”