Saskatchewan's provincial auditor, Tara Clemett, released a report highlighting critical concerns: the growing opioid crisis with treatment wait times exceeding recommendations in Kamsack and Saskatoon, and a lack of programs in Lloydminster and Estevan; unequal funding for transitional housing for interpersonal violence victims; and financial discrepancies and uncertified teachers in some school divisions, urging immediate action and centralized standards.
Sask. auditor's latest report urges action on opioid crisis, transitional housing
KamsackReginaSaskatchewanOpioid addictionSocietyStudentsViolence
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Saskatchewan's provincial auditor, Tara Clemett, released a report highlighting critical concerns: the growing opioid crisis with treatment wait times exceeding recommendations in Kamsack and Saskatoon, and a lack of programs in Lloydminster and Estevan; unequal funding for transitional housing for interpersonal violence victims; and financial discrepancies and uncertified teachers in some school divisions, urging immediate action and centralized standards.
Trending- 1 2022-2024: Lloydminster and Estevan saw local increases in drug toxicity deaths.
- 2 2024-25: Funding for transition houses in Regina and Swift Current differed by over $200,000 despite equal bed numbers.
- 3 Tuesday: Tara Clemett spoke about her findings at a news conference.
- Increased drug toxicity deaths
- People unable to access timely opioid treatment
- Vulnerable victims of interpersonal violence potentially lacking adequate shelter/support
- Financial discrepancies and potential for error in school divisions
- Concerns about the quality of education for students in some independent religious schools
- Continued worsening of the drug crisis due to politicization and lack of services
What: Saskatchewan provincial auditor's report outlining concerns regarding the opioid crisis, transitional housing for victims of interpersonal violence, and oversight of school divisions. Specific issues include: wait times for opioid treatment (Opioid Agonist Therapy, Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine), unequal funding for transition houses, lack of financial safeguards in school divisions, and uncertified teachers in independent religious schools.
When: Tuesday (Tara Clemett spoke about her findings); 2022 to 2024 (increase in drug toxicity deaths in Lloydminster and Estevan); 2024–25 (funding differences for transition houses).
Where: Saskatchewan (province-wide); Kamsack, Saskatoon, Regina, Lloydminster, Estevan, Swift Current (specific cities/towns mentioned).
Why: Rising drug toxicity deaths due to fentanyl and other substances; Saskatchewan having one of the highest rates of intimate partner violence; risk of financial error or hidden information in school divisions; questions about the effectiveness of education in schools with uncertified teachers.
How: Provincial auditor's findings and recommendations; news conference; criticism from the Opposition NDP.