The New Democratic Party candidate for Saskatoon Fairview says the Sask. Party’s cuts have led to overwhelmed long term care facilities and overrun frontline staff.

Vicki Mowat says under funding long-term care is bad at the best of times and could actually be considered dangerous during a pandemic.

The NDP says it would ensure facilities establish minimum standards for direct care hours with each residents. They would make it possible based on their prior commitment to hire hundreds more doctors, nurses and continuing care assistants. The NDP also accuses the Saskatchewan Party of having made long term care more expensive by raising fees for half of all residents, some by more than $600 per month.

Earlier this month the Catholic Health Association asked the provincial government for what it calls, long overdue standards, that would elevate the safety and care for people living in special care homes.