By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — Rural health care was the topic of discussion for a lively public forum that drew a crowd of 100 to the Craik Legion Hall.

Rural and remote health minister Greg Ottenbreit, representing the Saskatchewan Party, was joined by the leaders of the other four major political parties in the province on March 5.

For three hours, they answered a series of four prepared questions, along with approved questions from audience members, dealing with rural health concerns.

Town councillor David Ashdown, who serves as chair of the Craik and District Health Care Committee, moderated the discussion.

The event was scheduled exactly one year after local residents visited the legislature, protesting the erosion of health services and demanding action.

While the committee continues to push for improved services, Ashdown said the forum’s purpose was to discuss wider issues in rural health care.

The five participants were provided with the four main questions in advance. Responses were timed, with sharply-dressed Mayor Rick Rogers manning the bell.

Ottenbreit defended his party’s record on health care — pointing to achievements like reduced surgical wait times and the hiring of 650 doctors and 3,000 nurses — and said services have improved greatly since the NDP era.

“We inherited a system that had drifted away from a patient-first mentality,” he said.

While the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program has helped to fill vacancies, Ottenbreit said his government also wants to retain local graduates and attract them to rural postings.

NDP leader Cam Broten was direct, pledging that if his party forms the next government, they would restore emergency services to the Craik and District Health Centre.

“We have the right facility, this needs to be a priority,” he told the Leader later, adding that restoring Craik’s serivces would also reduce pressure on city facilities.

Broten drew applause as he claimed that the Saskatchewan Party was ignoring rural concerns, saying, “From my vantage point, they’re taking you for granted.”

The NDP leader singled out local MLAs Greg Brkich (in attendance) and Lyle Stewart (not) for failing to stand up for their constituents.

He also criticized what he called a lack of political leadership at the top, pledging to cut administrative waste and to boost the number of front-line workers.

For the full story, please see the March 14 edition of The Davidson Leader.