Saskatchewan’s Addiction Treatment Wait Times Revealed as Six Weeks

Significant discrepancies have emerged regarding the availability of addiction treatment services in Saskatchewan, as data obtained by CBC News indicates that the average wait time for in-patient treatment can reach up to six weeks. This finding contradicts statements made by Lori Carr, the province’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, who has claimed that the government lacks specific wait-time data.

The information, acquired through a freedom of information request, shows that the province has recorded wait times for nearly all adult in-patient facilities since the 2022-23 fiscal year. In recent public statements and within the provincial legislature, Carr expressed uncertainty about the government’s ability to consolidate wait-time information, stating, “The [facilities] track them individually. So it’s really hard to kind of reconcile all of that is happening at this point in time.”

Conflicting Reports Raise Concerns

The data from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health reveals varying wait times across the province. Some facilities show remarkably quick access to treatment, with locations like the four beds available at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Île-à-la-Crosse reporting a median wait time of zero days. In contrast, others, such as the 32-bed St. Joseph’s Addiction Recovery Centre in Estevan, have a median wait time of six weeks.

Betty Nippi-Albright, the Saskatchewan NDP critic for mental health and addictions, expressed her frustration with the misleading information. “This verifies my concerns about the minister,” she stated, emphasizing the urgent need for clarity in addiction treatment data. Nippi-Albright has been actively seeking information about the number of individuals waiting for treatment, indicating that her efforts have been largely fruitless until receiving the documents from CBC News.

Withholding crucial information about wait times is detrimental, according to Nippi-Albright. “Withholding information that the public needs to know, that’s wrong,” she remarked. For individuals seeking help for substance-use disorders, even slight delays can have dire consequences.

Government Response and Future Plans

The Saskatchewan government has pledged to improve access to addiction treatment, promising to open 500 new treatment beds by 2028, as part of its mental health action plan. However, as of July 31, 2025, only 221 of those beds have been established. When asked about the current availability of treatment beds, the government did not provide a direct answer. Instead, Carr stated that “nearly 800 addiction treatment spaces” are operational across the province.

Recent figures from the Ministry of Health indicate a total of 746 alcohol and drug treatment beds, which includes existing beds as well as those opened since the government’s commitment to expand capacity. These numbers raise questions about the government’s progress in addressing the addiction crisis, particularly as reports of overdoses continue to rise in major cities.

In her responses, Carr has pointed to the planned creation of a centralized intake system designed to help track waitlists and wait times. This initiative is part of a broader strategy outlined in the government’s mental health action plan unveiled in October 2023. The new system aims to facilitate self-referrals for patients seeking mental health and addiction services, with implementation expected to occur in a phased manner throughout the coming year.

As Saskatchewan grapples with the increasing demand for addiction treatment services, the need for transparent data and effective action remains critical. The discrepancies between government statements and the available data underscore the urgency of addressing the province’s addiction crisis and the implications for those in need of immediate assistance.