Today (Thurs)’ session of the Saskatchewan Legislature was the final for what was a shorter than usual 8-day sitting.
They are usually 25 sitting days in the fall and 40 in the spring, but COVID-19 put a wrench in the works.
Much of today’s debate was about the province’s actions around outbreaks in long-term care homes.
Official Opposition leader Ryan Meili cited 11 deaths to date at Parkside Extendicare in Regina and over 200 positive cases among residents and staff.
He says public health officials warned about long-term care outbreaks in other jurisdictions so the NDP urged for more staffing.
Minister of Rural and Remote Health, Everett Hindley, responded that the government began taking steps to ensure safety in care homes at the beginning of the pandemic when regulations were put in place, and last month, rapid testing equipment was delivered from the federal government and a number of tests were sent to 8 long-term care facilities as part of a pilot project.