Regina / 980 CJME
Apr 30, 2021 | 3:49 PM
NDP MLA Doyle Vermette speaking at the Walking with our Angels protest camp in Wascana Park on Aug. 11, 2020. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME file photo)
NDP MLA Doyle Vermette was overwhelmed and emotional Friday afternoon, just minutes after the Legislative Assembly unanimously passed The Saskatchewan Strategy for Suicide Prevention Act after the third time he introduced it.
“The government and Her Majesty’s loyal opposition came together for the people, and the people have won, of this province. And that’s what it’s about and should be about sometimes,” said Vermette.
“We have many days to disagree and debate stuff in the chamber, but today we can say we walked away and Saskatchewan people, those struggling with mental health, you won. And we’re going to do everything we can. That’s the commitment I’ve got and what I think I’ve heard from the government supporting this.”
By Moises Canales
Thousands of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 doses have arrived this week in the province.
On Thursday afternoon, the provincial government shared that 31,590 Pfizer doses have now arrived and will be distributed in the North West, North Central, Saskatoon, Central East and Regina zones. Some of these doses will also be allocated to select participating pharmacies as part of the Pharmacy Vaccination Pilot Project. 18,800 doses of Moderna are also expected.
The doses have shown up just in time as vaccination eligibility expands Friday to residents 40 and over, except for residents 30 and over in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. Eligibility will also include some frontline workers of all ages such as educational staff working with students, firefighters and police officers.
Rejected twice by government, NDP suicide prevention bill passes The bill failed last year, triggering a protest by suicide prevention activist Tristen Durocher. The government changed course Friday.
Author of the article: Arthur White-Crummey, Zak Vescera
Publishing date: Apr 30, 2021 • April 30, 2021 • 3 minute read • SASKATOON,SK JULY 30/2019-0731 news suicide prevention- NDP Critic for Northern Saskatchewan Doyle Vermette speaks to the media during a press conference to discuss the need for a suicide prevention strategy at the NDP Saskatoon Riversdale Constituency Office in Saskatoon, SK on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Photo by Liam Richards /Saskatoon StarPhoenix
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Saskatchewan Party MLAs have changed course to pass suicide prevention legislation they twice rejected, though the government maintains it will simply “formalize” an existing plan.
Saskatoon-based Group2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd. (Group2) has been selected as the design team for the new Weyburn and District General Hospital. Group2 will be responsible for leading the design of the new facility. A brand new state-of-the-art hospital is something the people of Weyburn and area have been working toward for a long time, Education Minister and Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan said on behalf of Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley. We are so grateful to the community for the support and generosity they have shown to help make this project a reality. The new hospital will bring together health services which are currently in different locations around Weyburn, and make them accessible under one roof. The new 35-bed health care facility will include primary health services, a 10-bed inpatient mental health unit and enhanced emergency services, including a heliport. This project is a part of the Government of Saskatchewan s $7.5 bil
Province passes suicide prevention strategy legislation
The province now has suicide prevention legislation.
On Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette’s third attempt, he was successful Friday, as the government supported the Bill unopposed and it was assented by LT. Gov. Russ Mirasty.
This is a major victory for Vermette who for years has advocated for such a strategy.
He would bring families impacted by suicide to the Legislature to share their stories, in hope for change.
“I think about Kimberly Beatty, just amazing. She does a walk in awareness of suicide each year. I think about Sally Ratt, about her loss and hurt her daughter at such a young age,” said Vermette. “It’s a victory for them.”