SEIU-West is advocating for parking issues to be resolved at Saskatoon’s hospitals. A news release from the union says the assault of a health care provider walking to Royal University Hospital from their off-site parking spot shines a light on the lack of parking for staff and the safety issues.

President of SEIU-West, Barbara Cape, says there is some parking for staff, but there is a years-long waiting list. Because there is no on-site solution right now, Cape says they are looking for some short-term options for staff and families of those in the hospital who can’t access parking on site. The union has some suggestions: a park and ride option or a safe walk/ride option. But ultimately, Cape says, we need some options that keep members safe and respect the neighbourhoods’ needs for residential parking.

She notes that RUH is the trauma center for northern and central Saskatchewan, and that should have been considered when funding public infrastructure.