'Mean spirited': Sask. criticized for making cancer patients pay hospital parking fees
The provincial government is facing harsh criticism after a decision to revoke free parking for cancer patients at some hospitals in Saskatchewan.
Patients receiving chemotherapy used to receive free parking, but now parking fees apply to all.
The NDP opposition believe the wrong decision was made.
“Mr. Speaker, if this isn’t a government that has lost touch with the needs of Saskatchewan people, I don’t know what is,” NDP MLA Jared Clarke said.
Concerns about the new parking fees were first raised by long time Prince Albert city councillor Dennis Ogridnick, who is receiving chemotherapy at Victoria Hospital in the city. He posted on social media calling the decision another financial burden or people.
“It’s another financial burden for some, adding stress to an already stressful situation.”
Saskatchewan’s health minister said the decision was made for consistency.
“Different regions, different facilities, different communities had different policies when it came to parking and this was a decision made by the SHA to align those policies,” Health Minister Everett Hindley said.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) says the fees were implemented after, “an internal audit uncovered misuse of this privilege.”
Former cancer patient advocate Donna Pasiechnik said the decision is nothing more than a mean spirited move.
“To nickel and dime cancer patients who are feeling stressed and in pain and financially strapped is mean spirited and petty and surely they is a solution to the parking issues at hospitals,” she said.
The SHA is considering some support for cancer patients who had free parking privileges taken away but that likely won’t apply to any others in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.