Saskatchewan Government Promises Daily Updates on Hospital Closures

The Saskatchewan government has announced a commitment to provide daily updates regarding temporary closures of health facilities and services. This decision comes in response to growing public frustration over a lack of timely notifications concerning disruptions in healthcare services, particularly in rural areas.

During a session in the legislative assembly, Jeremy Cockrill, the province’s Health Minister, confirmed that the Saskatchewan Health Authority will maintain a list of service disruptions on its website. This list is set to be updated every day at 16:00. “There was frustration around the notification process for disruptions,” Cockrill stated, addressing concerns raised by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP).

Residents of Saskatchewan have faced numerous health service closures, often with little or no warning. Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests reveals a staggering increase in service disruptions, with 643 disruptions reported from November 2023 to May 2025. This figure is significantly higher than the 86 disruptions recorded in the 2018-2019 period. These closures have included various services, from emergency room shutdowns to cancelled laboratory work and surgeries.

NDP health critic Jared Clarke emphasized the impact of these disruptions, particularly on rural communities. “Hundreds of these closures have involved rural emergency rooms,” he remarked during a recent legislative session. Clarke highlighted the challenges faced by patients who arrive at healthcare facilities only to find them closed, forcing them to seek alternatives often far away.

At a press briefing, Cindy Landrie, a nurse at Battlefords Union Hospital, expressed her concerns about the ongoing staffing shortages that have led to intermittent closures of critical services, such as the CT scanner. “We should be able to look after all in the community and surrounding area,” said Landrie, who has dedicated 26 years to nursing in North Battleford. “I just find we’re not valued anymore. We need to look at the people we have and value them to retain them while also looking at recruitment.”

In response to the government’s commitment for daily updates, Clarke proposed a private member’s bill that would require the health authority to notify the public of any emergency room closures within one hour. “This information could save people’s lives,” he asserted, questioning the adequacy of the government’s daily update policy. He noted that the current system, which may change at any time, does not meet the urgent needs expressed by residents in rural Saskatchewan.

Cockrill acknowledged the concerns but defended the daily update system as a manageable approach for the health authority. “The biggest goal is reducing the number of disruptions, right?” he stated. The minister mentioned that the province is actively working on hiring additional staff and is providing one-time financial incentives to attract workers to rural areas. Furthermore, the government has increased the number of training seats in post-secondary institutions to bolster the healthcare workforce.

“I think we’re making progress. There are still challenges, no doubt about it,” Cockrill remarked, comparing the situation in Saskatchewan to that in other provinces, where similar healthcare challenges persist.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on October 30, 2025.