The province’s healthcare system was one of the topics of discussion during Question Period on Monday.

Leader of the Official Opposition Carla Beck stated that Monday morning, 41 patients were admitted to the Royal University Hospital ER but did not have a bed to go to. She added that the lack of nurses, doctors, and capacity is the emergency Premier Scott Moe should be focusing on instead of removing the rights of gender diverse children. In response, Moe stated that 64 acute care complex needs bed have been added across the province, and emergency care bed numbers have been upgraded from 79 to 110. Beck stated that beds don’t equate to adequate staffing, and Moe retorted by saying under the NDP government, the province had 1000 less doctors and 5000 less nurses.

Beck also asked why Moe is more interested in protecting himself than protecting vulnerable children who will be subject to irreparable harm. Beck was referring to Bill 137, or the Parent’s Bill of Rights, that was introduced last week by the Sask. Party Government. The bill would require parental consent for children under 16 to change their name or pronouns in school. In response, Moe stated that the bill wasn’t decided upon until one school division changed their policy to not inform parents, and he is just preserving the status quo.

Negotiations with the Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation were another point of contention between the opposing sides. Official Opposition Critic Matt Love says the STF announced that an impasse has been reached with the government. Teachers are calling on the government for adequate public school supports and funding, and Love accused Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill of not doing his part to reach a deal with the STF. Cockrill stated that the Sask. Party Government is at the table, waiting to make a deal. He encouraged the STF to return to the bargaining table.