Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe called the alleged actions of a former Sask. Party MLA “disgusting and vile” Monday, while speaking to media at the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
Ryan Domotor, 56, was arrested at a hotel in east Regina on Thursday afternoon just hours after he had been at the legislature. He is charged with communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services.
Moe said he booted Domotor from caucus and stripped him of all his government appointments once his office confirmed the criminal charge. Domotor still represents his constituency, Cut Knife-Turtleford, as an independent.
“What happened is disgusting and vile to be quite frank.… a government needs to be supporting women that are in a vulnerable state, not exploiting them,” Moe said. “This is not acceptable in any way by myself, by this government, [it’s] terrible.”
Domotor was one of 16 people arrested last week in a Regina Police Service vice unit sting aimed at combating sexual exploitation and human trafficking. His first court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 4, police said.
Moe said he hasn’t spoken with Domotor since the arrest and is not aware of any other members of the caucus being arrested.
Domotor’s alleged actions are the “exact opposite” of what members of the Saskatchewan government should be doing, Moe said.
“We have a government that is moving very much in this space, funding second stage shelters. [We’re] going to be amending the Human Trafficking Act in this very session,” Moe said. “This is a government that needs to be doing all that it can to stop this behaviour.”
WATCH | Premier Moe says alleged actions of Sask. Party MLA charged with soliciting sexual services are ‘disgusting and vile’:
Premier Moe says alleged actions of Sask. Party MLA charged with soliciting sexual services are ‘disgusting and vile’
Featured VideoA Saskatchewan Party MLA has been booted from caucus after being criminally charged. Ryan Domotor, the MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford, is charged with communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services. Premier Scott Moe said Monday that Domotor’s actions are the opposite of what his government stands for.
Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck later raised what she described as “a troubling pattern from Sask. Party MLAs,” during Monday’s question period at the Saskatchewan legislature.
“This is completely inappropriate conduct for anyone, let alone a sitting member of this assembly,” Beck said, adding that Domotor’s arrest came about a year after Colin Thatcher, who was convicted of killing his wife, was invited to the 2022 Throne Speech.
Thatcher, who served as an energy minister under former Conservative premier Grant Devine, was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, after his ex-wife JoAnn Wilson was found beaten and shot to death in her Regina home in 1983. Her death followed their tense breakup and a bitter custody dispute over their three children.
Thatcher served 22 years in prison before being granted full parole in 2006. He always maintained his innocence.
Former MLA Lyle Stewart, who resigned from his post this year for health reasons, invited Thatcher to last year’s Throne Speech. The provincial government expressed remorse afterward for having done so.
Moe, in response to Beck during Monday’s question period, again described Domotor’s alleged actions as disgusting and stood by his government’s swift response.
“[The consequences] were harsh,” Moe said. “I think we can agree that all members in this assembly need to be working together to support those women, in particular, that are in vulnerable situations, Mr. Speaker, and should not be looking to exploit their situation.”
Ryan Domotor, MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford, faces a charge of soliciting sexual services. (Saskatchewan Party website)
Domotor, first elected as an MLA in 2020, was acclaimed in July as the Sask. Party candidate in next year’s election. However, as of Friday afternoon, the Sask. Party’s announcement of Domotor’s 2024 candidacy was no longer available on its website.
“He won’t be running for us, we’ll be finding a new candidate to run in the riding,” Moe said Monday.
Prior to his time as an MLA, Domotor previously served as a member of the standing committee on human services and was serving on the economy committee, according to his official government biography.
He was the chief administrative officer for the RM of Mervin from 1994 until 2020.
A state of emergency has been called by the Village of Cumberland House with the support of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) and the Cumberland House Cree Nation.
They say there is not enough water available to fill their community’s reservoir for the coming winter.
According to a release, Cumberland House officials and MN-S are engaging with the Water Security Agency, the Watershed Authority, SaskPower, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and Cumberland House Cree Nation to find a solution to this systemic issue.
“The reservoir is the only source of clean drinking water for the Cumberland House community,” the release read. “The community currently only has sufficient water to last 4 weeks. Losing this resource will jeopardize the health and safety of the community and people.”
The acting mayor of Cumberland House stated this ongoing situation is a result of complete negligence from SaskPower, the Water Security Agency and the Saskatchewan government.
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“Along with the Municipality not having access to freshwater, wildlife and our traditional medicines are at risk of being lost,” Veronica Favel stated. “Continuously we have felt this impact.”
The Cumberland House Cree Nation chief said his community has the inherent right to secure and reliable water sources and the current water crisis is deeply concerning.
“We call upon authorities to take immediate and collaborative action to restore their water supply. The Nation’s struggle for access to water is a stark reminder of the urgent need for the co-development of sustainable water management policies, informed by local Indigenous knowledge,” Chief Rene Chaboyer said.
Ryan Carriere, the MN-S regional director, said ongoing issues with water fluctuations continue to be a health and safety issue for their community members and wildlife that call the Saskatchewan River Delta home.
“Resource users are not able to safely navigate the waterways to access traditional harvesting grounds and are damaging equipment because of low water,” Carriere stated.
“As Section 35 rights holders we have an Aboriginal right to our ancestral lands to gather medicines, hunt, and fish. Our traditional way of life and our cultural identity and teachings are being lost by not being able to access our ancestral homelands. The current water crisis is causing the Largest Inland Delta in North America.”
According to the release, the Cumberland House reservoir is fed by the Big Stone River, part of the Saskatchewan River system. The Big Stone River has stopped flowing due to low watershed levels. With winter coming soon and water bodies freezing, time is limited to find solutions to get water into the reservoir.
“Reduced flow levels in the watershed due to ongoing drought conditions and systemic upstream water diversions along the South and North Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan River watersheds have emptied the village’s reservoir and surrounding Delta watershed,” the release read.
“An immediate response is needed from government agencies responsible to restore safe and reliable access to drinking water in Cumberland House and safe water levels to navigate the Saskatchewan Delta River system safely. ”
In an email statement from the province, many Saskatchewan ministries and agencies, including the Water Security Agency, SaskPower, the Ministry of Government Relations, SaskWater, and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, are working with the Northern Village of Cumberland House to implement short-term solutions, as well as looking at longer term solutions to ensure the reliability of the village’s water supply.
“A short-term solution has been implemented, with additional pumping capacity currently operating,” according to the statement. “It is expected the reservoir will be full by this weekend, providing approximately 3 months of water storage.”
The province added that additional sources are being considered to ensure that water is available to the village until spring 2024 and beyond.
A working group of Cumberland House, government ministries/agencies, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and other interested parties has been formed to recommend viable long-term water supply solutions for the village.
In a statement from the SHA on Sept. 27, 2023, the decision was made solely by ECC prior to involving the SHA or provincial government.
“The SHA acknowledges ECC’s decision to no longer provide LTC services and appreciates the decades of service the Regina Lutheran Home has provided to the people of Saskatchewan as a valued and respected affiliate long-term care partner in Regina,” the statement read.
‘”The SHA has decided not to pursue purchase of the property at this time. Given the current building is at the end of its lifespan, the SHA determined it may require further assessment and potentially significant repair work.”
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Specialized long-term care facility site selected in Regina
SHA stated they along with ECC are working together on this transition of care for residents and that plans are being developed to move all current residents to other homes as appropriate spaces become available.
“We will work with residents and their families individually to consider their options and support appropriate placement within Regina over the next few weeks,” the statement read.
The RLH is home to 62 residents. The family of one resident is disappointed as their loved one, who has Alzheimer’s, will have to start all over in another facility.
“I am very dismayed to hear the Lutheran Home is to be shut down and the residents moved to who-knows-where,” stated Todd Miki, in an email statement to Global News.
“We were told back in April or May that changes were coming to the care home, but I never for a second thought my mother would have to be relocated to another facility.”
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Miki’s mother, Joanne, has been a resident at the RLH for many years where she has received care that is described as “splendid and second to none.”
“I can say without a doubt the care my mother receives at the Lutheran Home is top-notch, and I personally will miss seeing them every weekend when I make my visits to see my mother,” the statement read.
“I’m very upset about this upcoming change, but I can only hope and assume it’s being done for good reason.”
A continuing care aide (CCA) at the RLH, who is also the first vice-president with CUPE that covers the former Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, says it’s a small home-like facility that has many long-term staff employed who did not expect to hear the news.
“Everybody is devastated about the news,” said Darlene Gilewich, who has worked at RLH for over 39 years.
“They’re very worried about where their residents are going to be going and the care that they’re going to receive.”
Gilewich said this move will mean a lot of layoffs and says they have approximately 100 CUPE members that will be laid off.
“This is going to have a big effect in the city (and) in the Regina area,” said Gilewich. “I feel awful for all the residents who are going through this. All the staff do. We care for our residents. They’re like family to us. We’re their family.”
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Global News reached out to ECC on behalf of RLH but did not hear a response by publication.
The government of Saskatchewan will bring forth education policies that have sparked some major debate when the legislature starts back up on Tuesday (today), but how did we get here and what does it all mean?
Former education minister Dustin Duncan announced back in August new education policies that would require parental permission if a child under the age of 16 wanted to go by a different name or pronouns.
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The policies also require parents to be informed about the sexual health education curriculum and parents will have the option to have their child opt out of those classes.
Lastly, the policies called for school boards to stop their involvement with third-party organizations connected with sexual health education as the ministry reviewed educational resources.
Only teachers and professionals employed by government ministries or the Saskatchewan Health Authority would be able to present sexual health material.
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The ministry suspended Planned Parenthood from presenting in schools back in June due to a child getting a hold of a pamphlet separately from a classroom presentation that was described to have graphic sexual vocabulary.
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The pamphlet hadn’t been approved by the school, and the executive director for Planned Parenthood had said it normally doesn’t carry material that teachers weren’t already familiar with, and had contacted the school as soon as it learned about the situation.
Duncan had claimed that these policies would also create consistency across school divisions, likening the pronoun permission policy to getting parental permission to go on a school trip.
Premier Scott Moe also claimed these policies were brought down at the request of parents in the province.
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The new policies raised immediate concerns with several human rights, LGBTQ2, and sexual health organizations.
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These organizations included OUTSaskatoon, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Egale Canada, UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre, Saskatchewan Teachers Federation and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, to name a few.
The Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth announced that it would investigate the new policies, later coming to the conclusion that the pronouns and name policy in schools violated provincial human rights laws and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“We agree with the government’s desire to place a high importance on the involvement of parents and guardians in education. However, this objective can be achieved without imposing such strict rules around consent, which could result in a violation of a young person’s rights under provincial, constitutional, and international human rights laws,” said Advocate Lisa Broda, who conducted the review.
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code states that “discrimination because of gender identity or gender expression is against the law in Saskatchewan.”
The Government of Canada website says a person’s gender identity is each person’s internal and individual experience of gender, noting for some people, their gender identity doesn’t align with their sex assigned at birth, which is often described as transgender or trans.
It added that a person’s gender expression is how a person publicly presents their gender, which can be shown through behaviour, outward appearance, body language, voice, or the pronouns they use.
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Broda claimed that the age requirement of 16 isn’t fair to students because it does not demonstrate the individual’s capabilities.
“Many young people under the age of 16 will have the capacity to make this type of decision. Giving them the chance to demonstrate capacity is an important step in accommodating their right to their gender identity.”
Many advocates have pointed to statistics that trans people are far more susceptible to things like suicide, but those numbers drop when those people are able to use the pronouns and names they identify with.
A landmark 2018 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found transgender youth who are able to use names and pronouns of their choosing reported a 34 per cent drop in suicidal thoughts and a 65 per cent decrease in suicide attempts.
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Moe has been pushing back the entire way, insisting that these new policies, particularly the pronouns and name policy, would protect parental rights, which is not included in the Charter, but which he says are important to Saskatchewan residents nonetheless.
“It is in the best interest of children to ensure parents are included in their children’s education, in their classrooms and in all important decisions involving their children,” Moe said.
Restrictions around third-party organizations not being able to present sexual health education at schools shocked some, with Amber Stewart, the executive director for the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre, saying it was not only detrimental to the centre’s staffing, but also to the education and sexual health of students across the province.
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“Our province has the highest rates of STIs, high rates of unplanned pregnancy, high rates of interpersonal violence, and taking away education is not going to stop kids from having sex,” Stewart said.
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She stressed that not every parent is a safe person for these kids to be around, noting some parents are kicking their kids out of the house based on who they identify as.
Stewart added that some teachers aren’t comfortable covering sexual health and prevention topics, which is why organizations like hers exist.
“They aren’t comfortable necessarily delivering this information, just as I wouldn’t be comfortable walking in and teaching Grade 9 math, that’s not my thing. But I can come in and talk about consent all day long.”
Regarding the government’s announcement that parents would be able to opt their kids out of sexual health education classes, Saskatchewan Teachers Federation president Samantha Becotte said that’s always been an option for parents and isn’t anything new.
Lawyers for UR Pride sought an injunction against the pronoun policy at the end of September, arguing that it could cause teachers to out or misgender kids and that it violates Charter rights.
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The province’s lawyers said the policy was being misinterpreted.
Moe made it clear in the lead-up to the court’s decision that his government would use whatever tools necessary to keep the policy in place, and immediately after a Saskatchewan judge granted an interim injunction, Moe vowed to use the notwithstanding clause.
The clause, sometimes known as “the override power,” allows governments to override some rights within the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
That override can’t be challenged and expires after five years, though a government can renew it. The only way to remove the clause from a policy is for the enacting government to rescind the use of the clause, or for that government to get booted out of office through an election and for the new government to rescind it.
“If people aren’t happy with the use of the notwithstanding clause, if they aren’t happy with how the government has violated rights, they can vote them out,” explained Sarah Burningham, assistant professor at the college of law at the University of Saskatchewan.
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The Saskatchewan Legislature starts back up on Tuesday after Moe announced that it would be starting early so that the notwithstanding clause could be invoked and the education policies could be implemented as quickly as possible.
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This has left teachers and schools feeling unsure and confused about the next steps, with Becotte wondering why these policies were being rushed through, adding teachers haven’t received any guidelines from the Ministry of Education.
She explained that the Ministry would direct school divisions, who would then direct teachers, but Becotte noted that things haven’t been very clear.
“Unfortunately, it just has been so confusing for everyone in this process. Many school divisions haven’t set out clear policies and processes that would direct teachers on what they need to be doing.”
Becotte said in terms of the third-party organization ban, that message has been quite clear, but there remain questions about what is encompassed in sexual health education and what organizations are banned.
She said some teachers are even questioning whether they should be following the direction of school divisions and the Ministry.
“Teachers are questioning, ‘Do I follow my school division and the Ministry, or do I uphold the child student rights?’ It’s a scary position for a lot of teachers to be in, wondering what they might get challenged on.”
Global News reached out to the Ministry of Education and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association for comment.
The Saskatchewan School Boards Association said the matter is still before the courts and couldn’t comment at this time.
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The ministry directed Global News to comments Premier Scott Moe has previously made regarding the issue.
Moe claimed that these education policies will create clarity for parents and teachers, as well as build a more responsive education system.
When asked why more consultation wasn’t done with experts regarding child impact or legal experts regarding the legislation, Moe said a lot of discussions happened between MLAs and parents.
He said there is an opportunity within a short period of time for the government to look at the existing supports in place for students, adding they’ve been looking at things like rapid access counselling services.
Moe said school divisions are working on their implementation plans.
When asked about what sort of guidelines schools have received regarding the pause on third-party organizations presenting sexual health material in classrooms, the province added a statement.
“It was directed on Aug. 22, 2023, that boards of education must immediately pause involvement with any third-party organization connected to sexual health education as the ministry undertakes review of educational resources to ensure alignment with curriculum outcomes,” the government said. “Only teachers, not outside third parties, will be able to present sexual education materials in the classroom. This directive does not include professionals employed by government ministries or the Saskatchewan Health Authority.”
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“There were no changes made to the curriculum as a result of the new policies. Sexual assault prevention education will continue to be taught by teachers as part of the curriculum,” the statement said.
— with files from Brooke Kruger and The Canadian Press
“We have seen a massive uptake in grade 5 and 6 students watching PornHub and watching pornography.”
That comes from the executive director of the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre, Amber Stewart, who is calling for the Saskatchewan government to allow organizations like theirs to present prevention education in classrooms again.
As part of the government’s Parental Inclusion and Consent Policy, also known as the pronoun policy, that was announced in August, third-party organizations are no longer able to present sexual health material in schools, but Stewart says that shouldn’t include sexual assault centres.
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“With very little clarity or direction and very vague language in this policy it has impacted organizations that do not deliver sexual health specific information but simply all organizations that provide information on anything direct or indirectly related to sex or gender,” Stewart said.
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Former education minister Dustin Duncan announced back in August new education policies that would require parental permission if a child under the age of 16 wanted to go by a different name or pronouns.
The policies also require parents to be informed about the sexual health education curriculum and parents will have the option to have their child opt out of those classes.
Lastly, the policies called for school boards to stop their involvement with third-party organizations connected with sexual health education as the ministry reviewed educational resources.
“Only teachers, not outside third-parties, are able to present sexual education materials in the classroom. This directive does not include professionals employed by government ministries or the Saskatchewan Health Authority,” the provincial government explained in a statement.
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Stewart said the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC) has been working in the community for over 40 years to support survivors and raise awareness to sexualized violence.
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“Over the last number of years, we have maintained a strong focus on prevention education and establishing ourselves as not only experts in the community but trusted adults to the students we are seeing in the schools. This education has been created to be in line with the Saskatchewan education curriculum and is delivered in classrooms from K-9.”
She said during the 2022-23 school year they presented sexual violence prevention education programs across 14 different schools to 3,051 students.
“Children and youth having tools to understand sexual abuse, consent, body safety, etc. lowers the risk of those same children and youth becoming victims of abuse.”
Stewart said she has two full-time staff who solely focus on giving presentations at schools, adding that before the education policy announcement they were fully booked until the end of December. She said their presentations fall in line with the Saskatchewan education curriculum.
Stewart said they receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding to present this material in schools, adding it could be detrimental to their organization if they lose it.
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“If we’re not allowed to do that we could be in a financial position that could greatly jeopardize our organization. If we have to start giving money back because we can’t do the job that we said we were going to do, I don’t know that we keep our doors open.”
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She said they are core-funded through the provincial ministry of justice, which she said wasn’t aware of these policies coming down, but added that the ministry has been supportive of her organization and has been working to advocate for them.
Stewart reached out to Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill, who is also her MLA, saying she has received vague answers and that these rules won’t be looked at until the legislation is passed.
She said many organizations are being thrown into this umbrella of third-party organizations that are barred from presenting in schools, noting all sexual assault centres in the province are affected.
The executive director for the Saskatoon Sexual Assault and Information Centre, Reagan Conway, took to Tiktok with a video explaining their issues with the new education policy, noting it was very vague, and adding that it is impacting organizations that don’t present sexual health material in classrooms.
Conway said they’ve worked with Saskatoon Public Schools and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools for 17 years.
The video talked about the different programs they present in schools and the thousands of kids they’ve presented to, adding that these presentations closely follow the health curriculum dictated by the provincial government.
“SSAIC has always made sure our presentations are child friendly and aligned with the Saskatchewan Health Curriculum,” Conway said.
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Stewart explained some of the programming they present in schools, prefacing that everything they talk about comes with information for kids to take back home to show their parents, and a letter is sent home beforehand letting parents know that these presentations will be happening.
She said from time to time they’ve received calls from parents asking why a sexual assault centre is presenting in their kid’s school, but everyone has been okay with it after it has been explained to them.
“For our little ones, for kindergarten to grade 1, we use a program called Protect Yourself Rules. So this program is about rules that are safe and unsafe touches; tell a grown-up; shout, run, tell; doesn’t matter who it is; stranger safety; and hitting is wrong.”
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She said that’s a four session program that has a video and a booklet, which the kids can take home for them to show their parents and talk about it with them.
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Stewart said they also work to normalize using proper terms for private parts.
As kids get older, Stewart said they offer the Go Guys and Go Girls program, which is condensed into a seven week program where they talk about emotions and expressing them in a healthy way, good and bad emotions and how they affect you, image and self-esteem.
“In this we do talk about gender, but we talk about it as gender stereotyping and how these beliefs can impact someone’s self-esteem. So it’s things like ‘boys should be tough and boys shouldn’t cry, and girls should be polite.’”
She said it also delves in relationships in terms of healthy friendships and dating relationships, as well as consent.
“Like everyday consent as well as sexual consent, because I bet if you asked education or even other adults they couldn’t give you the legality of what the consent law is in Saskatchewan.”
She said as kids get into grade 8 and 9 they cover things like how you can’t consent when alcohol is involved, which she says is very important for both boys and girls to understand.
Stewart said the province has asked for their school material for them to review, saying she’s concerned that the government might try to remove things from their presentations, as well as the Saskatchewan curriculum.
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She said they base their programming off of best practices, but are also responding to what they are hearing from kids.
“Things have changed, but the kids are telling us what is going on.”
Stewart said schools are calling organizations like hers to come in to address certain behaviours like sexual language, noting these kids are learning these things from sites like PornHub.
She added that things like sexting are also on the rise.
“We listen to the kids and we listen to the teachers as the trends change.”
She said parents don’t always know how to have these conversations, adding that their organization is a great way to start those talks.
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Stewart also gave some statistics.
“Saskatchewan has the highest rates of interpersonal violence of all of the Canadian provinces, at twice the national average. In addition, Saskatchewan’s rate of sexual assault is one of the highest in Canada, a rate of 104 sexual assaults per 100,000 persons.”
She said statistics show that one in three girls and one in six boys will become a victim of sexualized violence and that children ages 7-13 are the most vulnerable to child sexual abuse.
“Educating children and youth on the topics of consent, body safety and sexual abuse enables them to have a voice and reach out to a trusted adult if they are being abused, taking away the education is taking away that voice.”
Stewart says they are working to combat the low rates of reported sexual assault in Canada, noting out of 1,000 sexual assault roughly 33 are reported to police.
Premier Scott Moe claimed in a previous interview that these education policies will create clarity for parents and teachers, as well as build a more responsive education system.
He also claimed these policies were brought down at the request of parents in the province.
When asked why more consultation wasn’t done with experts regarding child impact or legal experts regarding the legislation, Moe said a lot of discussions happened between MLAs and parents.
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He said there is an opportunity within a short period of time for the government to look at the existing supports in place for students, adding they’ve been looking at things like rapid access counselling services.
Moe said school divisions are working on their implementation plans.
When asked about what sort of guidelines schools have received regarding the pause on third-party organizations presenting sexual health material in classrooms, the province added a statement.
“It was directed on Aug. 22, 2023, that boards of education must immediately pause involvement with any third-party organization connected to sexual health education as the ministry undertakes review of educational resources to ensure alignment with curriculum outcomes,” the government said. “Only teachers, not outside third parties, will be able to present sexual education materials in the classroom. This directive does not include professionals employed by government ministries or the Saskatchewan Health Authority.”
“There were no changes made to the curriculum as a result of the new policies. Sexual assault prevention education will continue to be taught by teachers as part of the curriculum,” the statement said.
Global News reached out to the provincial government for comment and received a statement.
When asked for a description on what all encompasses sexual education material, the government said, “The Ministry of Education has a process to review and recommend resources that support sexual health education, which is part of the health education curricula. School divisions may choose to use those or other materials, as long as they align with provincial directives, to support the needs of their students. ”
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The province said third-party organizations continue to be important in schools, giving an example of sexual assault centres still providing services like counselling.
“The Community Safety and Wellbeing Branch (CSWB) within Integrated Justice Services is working with its community partners to ensure all partners understand this and address any questions.”
“CSWB is actively working to support the policy direction of government alongside its community partners. At no point has CSWB agreed to advocate on behalf of any agency against the new policy, nor is that the role of the branch,” the statement added.
Two women from Regina have one thing in common: Cheryl Harvey and Lindsay Rogers both say the wait-list for a biopsy in Saskatchewan is long.
Rogers is 35 years old and has a family history of breast cancer. She is currently waiting for a biopsy. Harvey is a 59-year-old breast cancer survivor who has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer again.
These two women have been closer as they’ve joined together to voice the same concern: that Saskatchewan’s wait-list for biopsies is astounding.
“We’re going through the same thing. And we were brought together by a mutual friend after she was telling me a story about her friend and what her friend was going through,” Rogers said. “I told her, ‘Hey, that sounds like my story.’”
In April, Rogers found a lump on her left breast. Her doctor examined her in June and found a lump in her right breast as well. She was sent for an ultrasound and received her results in August. Due to her results, Rogers’ new family doctor sent a referral for her to receive a biopsy and to this day, she is still waiting for an appointment for a biopsy.
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“I was first told one to two weeks, then three to four, then five to six and two months, two and a half months. Now we’re at three-plus (months) for the third or fourth week in November,” Rogers said. “Based on past experiences, every time I get close to a date, it gets extended. So, we’ll see if that’s actually a reality.”
Harvey was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. She started treatments at a cancer clinic and was even invited to join clinical trials, which she accepted. One of the policies for that particular clinical trial is that they follow you for 15 years after. So, every year since, Harvey has met with the team every October and she would receive a mammogram every August.
“Since then, I’ve been clear. Except for this year, any regular mammogram came up, and the very next day the cancer clinic contacted me and said, ‘We’re going to send in a requisition for a biopsy,’” Harvey said.
Harvey has waited for five and a half weeks to get her biopsy done and now, she has her surgery slated for Nov. 15.
“The cancer clinic had contacted me and said, ‘Did you go for your biopsy yet?’ No, (I told them). So, they looked into it for me, and I was starting to get really frustrated.”
Harvey said the oncologist spoke with one of the radiologists that does the biopsies, and suggested she get an MRI. After receiving the MRI, results indicated that Harvey needs a biopsy.
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“I was told that they would get a hold of me whenever,” she said. “I was sharing with (a) mutual friend how frustrated I was waiting this long. I already know that there’s something there. And it’s enough that the cancer clinic and the radiologists are worried about that.
“When I heard Lindsay’s story about how long she’s waited, I became even more frustrated.”
The two women met with Saskatchewan Health Minister Everett Hindley on Monday. They were informed that Hindley had met with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), the CEO of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and others to try to find resolutions.
Choking back tears, Rogers told Hindley how this has been impacting her and her family.
“I never want to hear my mother tell me ever again that she prayed to Jesus to take her, not me,” she said. “I can wait. I can stay strong. But my mom is probably suffering more than I have right now. That’s not OK.”
The women said Hindley assured them that he was going to reach out with the number of biopsies performed every week, the number on the waiting list and the progress that has been made.
“I really, really hope that Health Minister Hindley keeps his word and keeps us informed of the progress that’s going on,” Harvey said. “He doesn’t have to contact me, but he needs to contact somebody and let them know what’s going on so that we can make sure that our government is held accountable…. Now’s the time to act. Now’s the time to do something.”
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After last week’s question period, Global News sat down with Hindley to ask about the biopsies wait-list in Saskatchewan and the steps that are being taken to shorten it.
“To those women and any other woman in Saskatchewan right now that may be waiting for a mammogram or waiting for a biopsy or the results of that biopsy and the potentially the surgery, we want to ensure that those wait times are as short as possible. That’s the ultimate priority for us,” Hindley said. “The SHA is implemented, and they’re using a couple of locums right now to try and manage that list of patients.”
The ministry did not give a timeline of when the wait-list for biopsies will start to shorten.
One Saskatoon girl is taking an awful experience and turning it into something she hopes brings others comfort.
“Over the last year I was admitted nine times into Dube, I spent over 90 days in the hospital,” said Taryn Hutchings, co-founder of TeensTalk YXE and creator of her new Pyjama Project.
Taryn is hoping to gather pyjama donations, saying it’s an opportunity for people to give to those who are staying at the Irene & Leslie Dube Centre for Mental Health.
Teens Talk YXE raising youth mental health awareness
“I was there at one point in my life and I know how awful it is.”
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Taryn struggled with her mental health and came up with the new project idea after her time at the centre.
“It was one of the hardest times of my life,” Taryn added.
She said one of the added stressors was having to wear hospital pyjamas.
“They were super itchy, they were see-through and they just didn’t make me feel like me.”
She said people can donate pyjamas to kids staying at the Dube Centre to add just a little “cozy and comfort into their life.”
Addressing a potential mental health crisis in Saskatchewan
TeensTalk YXE is a pre-existing non-profit created by Taryn and her mother Pam in October 2022, and through that organization, they will start the Pyjama Project on Jan. 1, 2024.
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Taryn said through these donations she’s hoping to brighten people’s days while they stay at the Dube Centre and make it a more manageable experience.
“Our goal is to get 300 pyjamas per year so that every single new admission in (the child psychiatric unit at the Dube) would get a pair of pyjamas.”
Pam Hutchings said she already had connections with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, so she pitched her daughter’s project to them.
“Taryn has such a huge heart, she’s always been the helper girl who always wants to try and take care of everybody, she likes to even take care of me and her brother and her animals,” Pam said.
Many Saskatchewan nurses and supporters gathered to rally at Regina’s Wascana Park to voice concerns about the health care system.
Such concerns include staffing shortages that lead to indicators of increased patient safety and risks.
In a release, the president of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) said that registered nurses need to see urgency and a clear political will to solve this crisis.
“We cannot wait to act when so many patients are needlessly suffering,” said Tracy Zambory. “There’s an irrefutable link between registered nurse burnout and poorer patient outcomes, and right now, we risk worsening shortages as faith in workplace support and commitment to fix the problem dwindles.”
Results from an October 2023 survey shows the health care system riddled with patient safety concerns.
“Long waits, missed treatments, cancelled procedures, avoidable hospital admissions; these and many other indicators of increased patient safety and risk are occurring across the system every day because of registered nursing shortages,” said Zambory.
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The survey shows that 81 per cent of registered nurses report knowing of a time when patients were at risk due to short staffing, Of those who are aware of risk due to short staffing, over 51 per cent report the risk is frequent.
“Over nine in ten note there have been times when short staffing has led to longer wait times and delayed or missed assessment or treatment,” the release read.
“Similar proportions indicate experiencing times when short staffing has led to poor patient experience, service reductions or disruptions, reduced standards of care, and delayed or cancelled procedures. While almost three quarters say that short staffing has led to unplanned or unnecessary admissions and avoidable deterioration in patients.”
SUN filed for a Freedom of Information request shows that in the 2.5 years prior to June 30, 2023, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has spent $78.5 million on contract nursing services, with expenditures exceeding $45 million in 2022 alone.
“The misplaced focus on private agencies is costly to taxpayers, averaging $120 per hour, and it is not sustainable,” Zambory said. “We should be talking directly with registered nurses on the ground to build homegrown solutions; something I’ve repeatedly spoken to the SHA, the Ministry of Health, and Premier Moe about.”
SUN continues to advocate for a nursing task force that includes unions, regulatory bodies, educational institutions, government, and employers to jointly develop a Saskatchewan-made plan to address the crisis.
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Regina residents upset after learning long-term care home plans to end services
Changes to cervical cancer screening for women are underway in Canada that could help detect high-risk pre-cancerous infections.
At least two provinces have already said they would replace the old Pap test and move to the human papillomavirus (HPV) test as the primary screening method for cervical cancer. Several others are also looking at making the switch.
Prince Edward Island announced in May that the HPV test would be used instead of the Pap smear at three-year to five-year intervals, as it can detect high-risk strains of the virus, which are more likely to cause cancer.
Quebec announced last year that it would offer HPV testing as the primary screening test for cervical cancer every five years to all women aged 25 and older in the province in May 2022, saying it is “more sensitive than the Pap test” — which is recommended every three years.
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HPV test should replace Pap tests for cervical cancer screening: study
HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in Canada, with more than 70 per cent of sexually active adults estimated to develop it at some point in their lives.
The World Health Organization says HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer especially if the infection persists, but most infections resolve on their own without symptoms.
The move towards HPV testing as the first stage in a cervical cancer screening program would not only help better detect precancer or cancer but could cut overall costs as it is done less frequently, experts say.
Dr. Togas Tulandi, professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at McGill University in Montreal, said the switch to HPV testing is a “very good idea.”
“In the next several years, maybe decades, we might be able to eliminate cancer of the cervix by doing this test,” Tulandi said in an interview with Global News.
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As more Canadian healthcare providers mull the transition, other countries such as Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have already adopted the HPV test for cervical cancer screening.
Cervical cancer rates have dropped in Canada thanks to screening and vaccination efforts.
Study says B.C.’s HPV vaccine program has cut pre-cancer rates in women
The HPV test is not that much different than the Pap test in that the sample is collected in the same way for both.
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As in the Pap test, a speculum is inserted in the vagina to separate its wall and a small brush is used to collect cells from the cervix, which leads into the uterus, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
The main difference is the lab testing.
The HPV test uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that checks the DNA or mRNA of high-risk types of HPV.
However, the Pap test will look for precancerous cervical cells.
“The difference is Pap test is to detect the presence of abnormal cells,” Tulandi said.
“With HPV test, it is to check the virus itself, so before the changes occur in the cervix, it could be detected.”
Pap Tests: When you need them and when you don’t
Unlike the Pap test, where a cytopathologist is needed, a machine will do the HPV testing, Tulandi said.
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“Also it (the HPV test) could be done by the patient themselves if they are far from medical health facilities. And interestingly, the result is almost as good as the test done by a doctor or nurse.”
An article published in Canadian Medical Association Journal last year noted that the Pap test may miss “almost half of existing abnormalities” but repeat testing every two to three years can mitigate harms from previously missed detections.
The HPV test has a higher sensitivity than the Pap test — 94.6 per cent vs 55.4 per cent, but a lower specificity — 94.1 per cent vs 96.8 per cent, the CMAJ article said.
“This means that a greater proportion of patients without cervical disease are likely to receive a positive test result,” the authors from Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital wrote.
“However, with increasing HPV vaccine uptake and decreasing prevalence of high-risk HPV infection, HPV testing is expected to confer fewer false positives than Pap testing, while maintaining a strong negative predictive value.” The report’s authors added that HPV testing “will soon replace the Pap test for primary cervical cancer screening in Canada, as it is a more sensitive test that has been shown to be cost-effective and safe.”
Where do provinces stand?
When asked about Health Canada’s stance on HPV testing replacing the Pap test in the country, the Public Health Agency of Canada told Global News it “recognizes the importance of screening to prevent cervical cancer, and is aware that a number of provinces in Canada are considering a shift to the use of HPV screening.”
It noted, however, that the provinces and territories are primarily responsible for the administration of health services, including testing and medical advice.
Global News reached out to all of the provinces and territories about whether they plan to follow Quebec and P.E.I. in replacing the Pap test with HPV screening.
Here’s what you should know about human papillomavirus (HPV)
Nova Scotia Health’s cancer care program said it is planning a transition to primary HPV screening, but the planned rollout could take at least three years to implement.
“Regular Pap tests are still the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer and find it early when treatment is most effective,” the province told Global News in an emailed statement.
But it added: “Primary HPV testing is a better way to screen people who have already received the HPV vaccination.”
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In New Brunswick, activities to support the transition to HPV primary screening are scheduled to start in the fall.
“The New Brunswick Cancer Network has completed initial research and analysis to identify steps needed to transition from the current pap test-based screening to HPV primary screening with an option for the self-collection of samples,” the province said in a response to Global News.
Cervical cancer tests expedited to clear backlog
Plans to move toward primary HPV testing are also underway in Saskatchewan.
“The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is currently updating cervical screening guidelines to include HPV reflex testing, with implementation later this summer, the province said.
Manitoba introduced HPV reflex testing in February 2022, to screen for high-risk HPV (hrHPV) on abnormal Pap tests to determine which patients require a follow-up diagnostic procedure versus those who can return to routine screening.
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“The enhanced process reduces unnecessary follow-up testing and treatment with improved cervical cancer outcomes for Manitobans by ensuring those most at risk receive appropriate interventions,” a Shared Health spokesperson said.
Ontario Health said it is working to implement HPV testing, “which is reflective of the latest research and advances in technology.”
“Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) is currently undertaking a competitive bid process to select the test system as well as the laboratory partner(s) to perform the HPV testing,” a spokesperson told Global News in an email.
Black woman at higher risk of dying from cervical cancer
Nunavut and Northwest Territories are in the process of reviewing their respective cervical cancer screening programs.
Nunavut’s Department of Health said discussions are ongoing regarding the use of HPV tests to detect cervical cancer.
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While no decision has been made by NWT, the territory’s health authority said it will develop recommendations for best practices and potential revisions of the current guidelines for cervical cancer screening which may include HPV testing.
Yukon is monitoring changes in cancer screening methodologies, including the use of HPV testing to screen for cervical cancer, but has not yet made this change, the territory’s health and social services team said.
Global News did not hear back from Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, B.C., by deadline.
There are more than 100 types of HPV viruses, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, but not all of them are high risk or can lead to cancer.
A list of 45 recommendations from an independent review of the Prince Albert Police Service was released Tuesday and now the Prince Albert Grand Council is calling for all of those recommendations to be immediately implemented.
The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) sent a release Wednesday saying the special inquiry conducted by Rod Knecht and Associates identified critical areas that need urgent improvement within the police force.
Prince Albert police given list of 45 recommendations following independent review
The inquiry came on the heels of three in-custody deaths in 2021, with the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) receiving scrutiny regarding several other incidents as well.
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“The series of in-custody deaths that transpired in 2021 was profoundly tragic and has underscored the necessity for a thorough investigation. Our heartfelt sympathies remain with the families impacted by these devastating incidents, and we stand in solidarity with them in their quest for truth and justice,” said Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the PAGC.
“Transparency, accountability, and transformative change are paramount to us. We firmly believe that these recommendations provide a crucial roadmap for transformation and they all must be swiftly acted upon to prevent such tragedies from happening again.”
One of the recommendations calls for the Saskatchewan government to be a part of the board of police commissioners, but the PAGC said that should be expanded to also include the grand council.
In-custody death results in Prince Albert police officer charged
“We emphasize the importance of inclusive representation within the board, and call upon the Prince Albert Board of Police Commissioners and all relevant parties to recognize the significance of granting the Prince Albert Grand Council a seat on the board. Through our collaborative efforts, we can work towards a future where the PAPS serves and protects all community members with fairness, integrity, and cultural sensitivity.”
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The Prince Albert Board of Police Commissioners responded to the 45 recommendations Tuesday, noting they’ve already completed some of them.
“The Board has reaffirmed its commitment to make the changes that need to occur, and has already begun, and in some cases completed, meaningful steps toward implementing recommendations,” said board chair Janet Carriere.
“The Board remains committed to constructive change in the governance and operations of the Prince Albert Police Service. We look forward to continuing to work with Minister Tell and her senior Ministry officials to reinforce best practices in Prince Albert Police Service operations and its governance model.”
When asked about it Wednesday, Hardlotte said it was the first he had heard about any of the recommendations being completed, criticizing the lack of communication.
“That’s the whole thing here, communication, and doing the right thing, and start with this now.”
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice-Chief David Pratt addressed the family of Saul Laliberte, one of the people who died while in custody.
Prince Albert police remove ‘thank you’ video for chief due to harassment
“The FSIN is fully supporting the family and the Cumberland House Cree Nation, and the Prince Albert Grand Council in calling for those changes. Another unnecessary death at the hands of police, those who are entrusted to our safety and protection, have once again failed in their duties to look after our people,” Pratt said.
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He added they want more accountability from the police service.
Second Vice-Chief Edward Lerat said they are still reviewing the recommendations of the special inquiry but called for the full report to be released.
“The full report has to be available to evaluate the recommendations,” Lerat said.
He said they won’t be able to comment on the recommendations until they see the full report.
Lerat stated there cannot be another in-custody death, adding police across the province should stop lodging people for intoxication from drugs and alcohol.
“We believe this responsibility belongs to the health authorities.”
