Sask NDP supports using hundreds of millions of dollars from a national tobacco lawsuit to improve cancer care instead of covering the government's deficit.On Monday, the Sask Party government released a fiscal update showing a $249 million deficit. However, that figure was actually $649 million before the government used $400 million from the tobacco lawsuit settlement to reduce the deficit."The Sask Party has failed to manage our finances and now they're using funding that should be going to improve healthcare to soften the political blow on themselves — it's shameful," said Keith Jorgenson, Saskatchewan NDP Associate Shadow Health Minister.“Healthcare in our province is in last place because the Sask Party put it there. They care only about themselves, not the health of you and your loved ones.”.The call comes after the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union urged the province to direct the tobacco money toward cancer care improvements.Last fall, an internal union memo revealed chronic understaffing, burnout, and mental health strain at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. The memo included testimonials from frontline workers, with one stating that "patients have died waiting for treatment due to the overwhelming demand and lack of available staff."Jorgenson said no one should die of cancer while sitting on a waitlist. "After 17 years of this garbage, it’s time for a government focused on the future, that joins frontline workers in building real solutions to improve cancer care in the province, and all healthcare for that matter," said Jorgenson.
