As a paramedic, I was called to keep the ER open-a bandaid fix. The money paid to a private company could've hired 2 full-time nurses and I'd be on the truck. When I was a kid, school sports were free, and schools were funded. Now kids pay to play, and we're last in education.
In May of 2022, our community faced a healthcare crisis. The Assiniboia Union Hospital’s emergency room was closed and on the verge of extensive closure due to staff shortages. As an Advanced Care Paramedic, I was called in through my private employer, and we were able to keep the ER open. Since then, only a handful of nights have seen the doors closed. I’m proud of that, but the reality is, this should never have been necessary. The cost of keeping me there through a private company is more than what it would cost to hire two full-time Registered Nurses (RNs). Our healthcare system shouldn’t have to rely on temporary solutions.
That’s why I am so exited about being a part of Carla Becks team who is investing in Health Care as ALL NDP governments have in the past —so we can hire more full-time nurses, doctors, and support staff. Our hospitals and emergency rooms need permanent staffing solutions, and with this investment, we’ll ensure that critical healthcare services are available to every family, every night.
After becoming a paramedic and returning to the community, I became a volunteer basketball and football coach at the local high school. I noticed a stark difference from when I was a kid. Back then, we didn’t have much, but one thing was certain: school sports were free. Today, we’re asking kids to pay for participation and travel—costs that many families struggle to afford. In a public education system, this simply isn’t right. Education, including extracurricular activities like sports, should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Our children deserve the best possible start in life. Education is the foundation of our future, we must invest in it so that every child in our Saskatchewan has access to world-class learning opportunities. This investment will ensure smaller class sizes, better resources, and more support for students and teachers alike.