The Manitoba government is anticipating cross-border funding for the new Flin Flon ER even as the Saskatchewan government says it doesn’t have dollars to pledge at this time.
Manitoba first sought a commitment of $560,260 from Saskatchewan in October 2014. Saskatchewan declined to provide any funds for the ER in the two provincial budgets approved since then.
Asked to clarify its position on ER funding, the Saskatchewan government gave mixed signals.
“Nothing has been ruled out, but Saskatchewan is not in a position to commit infrastructure dollars to the project at this point,” read a statement to The Reminder from the office of Greg Ottenbreit, Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for rural and remote health.
“Saskatchewan and Manitoba have had discussions regarding this project and continue to be in contact. We appreciate the relationship that our provinces share to ensure all residents have access to health care.”
The Manitoba government “is still anticipating a financial contribution” from Saskatchewan given the volume of Saskatchewan-based patients who utilize the Flin Flon ER, a spokeswoman for the Manitoba government said.
The PC government has not reiterated the 2014 request for funding made by the previous NDP government, the spokeswoman said, but that is being planned.
“The [health] department has been communicating with officials in Saskatchewan,” the spokeswoman said, “and will be contacting the Saskatchewan government more formally to again discuss Saskatchewan’s possible contributions to the project based on the use of the Flin Flon
emergency department by Saskatchewan residents.”
Construction on the new ER began over the summer. The $25.2-million facility is expected to open in December 2017, and will proceed with or without funding from Saskatchewan.
But “if Saskatchewan does not contribute to the capital project, the amount of funds raised for the project might need to increase,” the Manitoba government spokeswoman said. “Alternatively, the total project costs could be reduced.”
