REGINA — It was a war of words again between the Sask. Party and NDP on the issue of allowing doctors to work in both public and private health care.
This time, the Opposition took aim at Premier Scott Moe’s recent appearance on the Christy Clark Show.
At a news conference at the legislature Friday, NDP Health Critic Meara Conway blasted Moe for “openly praising and endorsing Danielle Smith's plan to allow physicians to work in both public and private systems.”
It follows the party’s criticism of Moe for appearing to support Smith’s private care moves during a year-end interview with Rebel News last year.
This time, Conway said, his comments leave “no room for doubt."
She then played the video from the Clark podcast in which Moe said the following:
“We do need to think about health care differently. … If we just continue on throwing money at it as provincial governments, we are doomed. So we have to change how we think when it comes to healthcare.”
When asked by Clark if it was time to rethink the Canada Health Act, Moe said:
“The Canadian Health Act has to change. One, it’s just an outdated piece of legislation, it has to change. Danielle Smith made the change with regard to their surgeons.”
“Let's be clear what he's talking about," Conway said. "A move to a model where those who can afford to will pay to move to the front of the line. It's a model that weakens the public system instead of strengthening it. It's a model that will draw staff at a time when we already have empty operating rooms because of a staff crisis, at a time when we already have a shortage of doctors in Saskatchewan, it is a move that will draw that staff during a crisis out of the public system. It is a model where the balance on your credit card determines the quality of care that you get, and whether you get care at all.”
Conway also pointed to the feedback she received during the NDP Your Care, Your Say consultations.
She said that in ”every single one of those conversations, not one person suggested that we dismantle medicare. Not one person said Saskatchewan should move towards an American-style system. Instead, people told us that they are proud of public health care, but they want to see this government roll up their sleeves and get to work. They believe health care should always be based on need, not the size of your wallet.”
Conway added that if Moe were to go against this requirement under the Canada Health Act, that would “represent an attack against medicare. If this is a fight that Scott Moe wants to pick, we are here to fight him every step of the way.”
In response to the NDP, the government issued a statement saying that “this is why people don’t take the NDP seriously.”
“They say they want change in health care, then oppose even looking at new ideas that could improve access for patients — including addressing outdated legislation like the Canada Health Act, which is restricting innovation and creative solutions. Saskatchewan people expect results, not the status quo. That means being open to options that cut wait times and get people the care they need.”
The government said this is what it is doing with its Patients First Health Care Plan, and pointed to more than 50 concrete actions to improve access and reduce wait times.
“This isn’t about ideology. It’s about an actual plan focused on outcomes: timely care, shorter waits, and a system that works better for patients. Instead of dismissing every idea, we’re focused on getting real results.”
