The Saskatoon & Area Branch of the Natonal Association of Federal Retirees asked the seven political parties registered in Saskatchewan the following questions.
If your party were to form government…
- Would you create an independent seniors’ advocate reporting directly to the legislature?
- Would you pursue legislaton mandating and enforcing minimum standards in long-term and personal care homes? Would your government consider tying funding to meeting key performance targets in publicly run facilities?
- Would you expand and fund resources that enable older adults to age in place? Would your government provide practical supports and services?
Independent seniors' advocate
Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan
We would establish an oversight committee to ensure that all commitments related to senior care are met, providing transparency and accountability in the provision of these services.
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
We support the creation of an Independent seniors advocate. Much like the ombudsman, this independent source could speed up seniors’ inquiries and facilitate the process for them while they seek solutions to their concerns.
Saskatchewan Green Party
We absolutely are in favour of an independent seniors advocate to the legislature plus a strategy to tackle ageism.
Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
We support the creation of a seniors' advocate as an independent office of the legislature. The seniors' advocate would be a one stop shop for seniors, families and caregivers. It would create accountability and visibility for services for older adults in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Party
Seniors in Saskatchewan have independent advocates they can access when issues arise including the ombudsman of Saskatchewan and quality of care coordinators for health care concerns. Saskatchewan also has a dedicated minister of seniors.
Saskatchewan Progress Party
Saskatchewan is in desperate need of more active oversight in the public healthcare system. The status quo is failing Saskatchewan seniors, and we need more active advocacy and enforcement of service standards.
Saskatchewan United Party
We believe an overall seniors’ strategy, including a seniors' advocate, that encompasses all the issues facing our seniors should be completed and incorporated into an overall health, social, and community plan.
Long-term and personal care homes standards
Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan
We would propose legislation to ensure that assisted living facilities for seniors are used solely for their intended purpose, providing adequate safeguards and oversight.
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
We will pursue legislation mandating and enforcing minimum standards in long-term and personal care homes. The possibility of tying funding to meeting key performance targets in publicly run care facilities will be considered as well.
Saskatchewan Green Party
We would ensure government care homes are inspected and regulated properly while also increasing funding to chronically underfunded publicly run care facilities
Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
In 2024, we presented a private members bill which would create legislated minimum quality of care standards. Also, each personal care home and long-term care home would be required to create a residents’ bill of rights to show compliance with these standards and several other items outlined in the bill.
Saskatchewan Party
Long-term care facilities must comply with extensive requirements, including the housing and special care home regulations, the program guidelines for special care homes, and other workplace and building codes. Long-term care facilities are also subject to inspections, compliance, and monitoring to ensure that corrective action addresses identified issues.
Saskatchewan Progress Party
We would legislate and enforce standards in long-term and personal care homes. If a facility fails to meet targets, withdrawing funding could exacerbate the problem. We would encourage a culture of improvement.
Saskatchewan United Party
Provincial standards of care should meet or exceed national standards. We believe in minimum standards and accountability.
Aging in place
Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan
We would explore and implement measures to provide safe and affordable transportation options for seniors including a voucher system to facilitate travel for seniors from rural areas to urban centers, ensuring access to necessary healthcare services.
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
We will support seniors to stay connected with their community, including practical supports, and avoid premature transfers to long-term care facilities. It is our understanding that supporting seniors in their own homes is much less costly than admitting them to a long-term care facility.
Saskatchewan Green Party
We would increase funding for seniors to remain in their own homes longer. There is so much research showing how beneficial this is. We would provide all practical supports to ensure this is possible.
Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
We have had several meetings with the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism on their home supports initiative and have presented related petitions in the legislature dozens of times. We know that home care needs to be strengthened, and home supports that go beyond meeting an individual’s health care needs can help them to stay in their homes longer.
Saskatchewan Party
Supporting independence and the ability of seniors to age in place continues to be a priority. We have boosted funding for home care and to the facilitating independence for older adults in the community program through the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism to provide grants to help communities develop new ways of supporting seniors in their own home.
Saskatchewan Progress Party
We would commit to policies encouraging an age-in-place culture. We would certainly explore expanded practical supports and services that help people age-in-place. Supporting an age-in-place culture will improve quality of life for everyone.
Saskatchewan United Party
Our policy is to give all seniors aged 65 years or older a 65% discount on the property taxes of their principal residence.