Sask NDP tear into AIMS system rollout, say costs have risen to $203 million
The Saskatchewan NDP says the province’s troubled payment and scheduling system for healthcare is only half implemented and has cost taxpayers nearly triple its original price tag so far.
The Administration Information Management System (AIMS) was first announced in 2018 with a price tag of $86 million. The system is designed to replace 80 aging and non-integrated systems to manage payroll, scheduling, human resources and finances for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), eHealth, Sask Cancer Agency and others.
The NDP candidate for Regina Douglas Park Nicole Sarauer spoke in front of Pasqua Hospital in Regina on Monday, where the party revealed cost figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request.
According to the heavily redacted documents, the program's cost has $203 million.
At the event, the New Democrats vowed to launch an accountability commission to investigate issues with troubled projects such as AIMS.
In a response to CTV News, the Saskatchewan Party highlighted the need for AIMS, saying some of the programs its replacing are more than 50 years old.
"These systems are not sustainable and must be replaced. When it comes to AIMS, our primary concern is that 48,000 employees across the health system continue to be scheduled and paid correctly and on time," the statement read.
"Any issues with delays in pay are being resolved as quickly as possible and anyone still experience a delay is encouraged to reach out to the SHA."
The AIMS rollout has been publicized due to ballooning costs and functionality issues.
Expected to be operational by May of 2021, the first attempt at a rollout did not take place till November of 2022 – an effort that ended after four days.
The system was relaunched in June with functionality issues still present. Throughout the summer, healthcare professionals including doctors were reporting payroll issues.
A 2023 report from the provincial auditor revealed that the projected price tag for AIMS had risen to $240 million. That same report recommended that the government analyze the rollout in order to learn from the experience and stop cost overruns in the future.
A full rollout of AIMS is expected to be completed in 2025.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Biden delivers remarks following Trump's win
U.S. President Joe Biden delivered remarks to the nation Thursday in what was his first appearance on camera following Donald Trump’s decisive victory over Kamala Harris.
Sparks fly as MPs question minister on pension implications of proposed election date change
Sparks flew at a parliamentary committee Thursday as MPs questioned Canada's democratic institutions minister about a widely opposed provision in electoral reform legislation that seeks to delay the next fixed election date by one week.
America votes: How celebrities are reacting to Trump's decisive victory
Celebrities from Hulk Hogan to Ariana Grande are sharing their reactions to the U.S. election, which will see Donald Trump return to the White House.
PM Trudeau revives Canada-U.S. relations cabinet committee after Trump win
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reviving a special cabinet committee dedicated to Canada-U.S. relations, following Republican Donald Trump's re-election.
New DNA evidence rewrites long-told stories of people in ancient Pompeii
When a volcanic eruption buried the ancient city of Pompeii, the last desperate moments of its citizens were preserved in stone for centuries.
BREAKING 3 Winnipeg police officers charged with breach of trust, theft
Three members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been charged with breach of trust, obstruction of justice and theft following a lengthy investigation
The world's 10 richest people got a record US$64 billion richer from Trump's re-election
Wednesday wasn't just a good day for Donald Trump. The wealth of the world’s 10 richest people also soared by a record amount, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index.
Video shows suspect shooting man inside Markham, Ont. garage
Police have released video footage showing a suspect shooting a man inside a Markham garage in broad daylight on Wednesday afternoon.
Police in southern Mexico find 11 bodies, including two of minors, dumped by a highway
Police in a southern Mexico region rife with drug cartel violence have found 11 bodies, including two of minors, dumped by a highway, prosecutors in the state of Guerrero said Thursday.