Home » Another Way

Add your voice, support Saskatchewan Teachers

February 15, 2024

The future of our kids, and of our province, rests with the educators who teach and mentor our youth in increasingly challenging times. The Saskatchewan Party Government needs to offer a fair deal that supports teachers and the people of Saskatchewan. Add your voice, email the Minister of Education and… Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

A Message from Saskatchewan’s Future

September 29, 2020

What if instead of returning to “normal” and waiting for the next crisis, we dug in as a province and drew on our spirit of caring for one another to reimagine a future that improved the health, happiness, and quality of life for all people in Saskatchewan? Let’s get moving! Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Who are SK tax cuts helping?

July 27, 2018

Lise, a mother with two kids who works at a college, and her brother Dan, a lawyer, compare how the 2017 provincial budget has affected them in the last year. Read more

Saskatchewan budget misses opportunity on rental housing assistance

May 23, 2018

This budget was a major fail for housing affordability in Saskatchewan. In the recent Saskatchewan budget, the Moe government made the surprise announcement that it would slowly phase out a rental housing assistance program known as the Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement. Given current rental housing market realities, the government ought… Read more

Ten things to know about the 2018 Saskatchewan budget

May 23, 2018

On April 10, the Saskatchewan government tabled its 2018-19 budget. Here are 10 things to know: This year’s budget was quite status quo. Provincial expenses for the upcoming fiscal year are forecast at $14.6 billion, while total spending on health will see a 2.5% increase. Revenue forecast for 2018-19 is $14.2 billion.… Read more

Winds of Change: Saskatchewan’s attitudes on Energy, Environment and Oil

May 23, 2018

As the second largest oil-producer in the country and home to a government that has vigorously promoted the oil industry and firmly opposed carbon pricing, one might assume that the Saskatchewan public is relatively united in their support for fossil fuel extraction. Winds of Change: Public Opinion on Energy Politics in… Read more

Budget 2018: On Track or Wrong Track?

May 23, 2018

For those that feared that the Saskatchewan government would continue the punishing austerity they laid out in 2017, this year’s budget came as a mild relief. While the 2018 budget doesn’t restore the cuts made last year, the government appears to have opted for holding the line – offering no… Read more

Why We Need An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Saskatchewan

October 20, 2017

  Saskatchewan is a wealthy province with a poverty problem. More than one-in-ten people live in poverty and our child poverty rate is above the national average. Dig into the data and you find that some populations disproportionately bear the brunt of poverty in Saskatchewan. Single parent families, new Canadians,… Read more

An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Saskatchewan

October 16, 2017

Preamble Whereas poverty is not a natural phenomenon, but a consequence of political and structural forces over which governments have considerable influence; Whereas poverty is an impediment to realizing the full economic, social, and personal health of Saskatchewan’s peoples; Whereas living in poverty is particularly harmful to the health and… Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Budgets Are About Choices

June 12, 2017

The Saskatchewan government promised “transformational change”… Instead we got a mean-spirited austerity budget that requires sacrifices from the many and delivers benefits to the few. It doesn’t have to be this way. For a government that prides itself on making “tough choices” this doesn’t seem that tough. Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Anti-Austerity Activist John Clarke: Fighting Back

April 13, 2017

John Clarke speaks on Saskatchewan’s austerity budget and how to fight back. As an organizer with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), John Clarke has been involved in poor people’s movements for over 25 years. He first became active in anti-poverty struggles in 1983, when he helped form the Union… Read more

Saskatchewan Speaks: Policy Recommendations for Transformational Change

March 16, 2017

In December, SaskForward began an online public consultation process that asked people across the province to answer the question, “What ‘transformational change’ would you introduce to make Saskatchewan a happier, healthier, and more prosperous place for all?” After receiving over one hundred submissions from individuals and organizations and hosting a policy… Read more

Real Renewal on Transforming Schools and Education

February 7, 2017

Re-imagining the future together   RealRenewal’s some 200 members include parents, teachers, school staff, students, education experts and community members province-wide who share common cause in defending and supporting public education in Saskatchewan. We conduct research on education issues and gather ideas the public through forums, workshops, online surveys, and… Read more

Don Kossick on Corporate Tax Evasion

February 7, 2017

Make Cameco Pay Up Saskatchewan citizens are conducting an ongoing campaign to have Cameco – one of the largest uranium companies in the world – pay the $2.2 billion bill that it has accumulated in unpaid taxes. Cameco has dodged every attempt to have them pay the people of Canada… Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Summit Panel: Dr. Sally Mahood

February 2, 2017

Family Physician Dr. Sally Mahood suggests how evidence-based policy-making can improve the fairness and equity of our public health system in Saskatchewan.   Social Determinants of Health Canada is one of the top four per capita healthcare spenders among 17 peer nations but among the bottom four for key measures… Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Summit Panel: Leah Arcand

February 2, 2017

My name is Leah Arcand and I’m from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. I would like to acknowledge Treaty 4 territory that we’re on today. And I would like to thank the organizers for inviting me to speak and you all for being here and showing an interest in transformational change.… Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Summit Panel: Peter Gilmer

February 2, 2017

Peter Gilmer of the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry identifies how the Government of Saskatchewan’s cut-backs are impacting the province’s most vulnerable residents. Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Summit Panel: Simon Enoch

February 1, 2017

Re-thinking Deficits and Austerity I want to discuss the elephant in the room that haunts any of the subsequent policy discussions we will have the rest of the day and that is obviously the current economic health of the province and the government’s financial situation. How we view the current… Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Summit Panel: Hayley Carlson

February 1, 2017

Transformation in an Era of Climate Change Across Canada people hear “Saskatchewan” and we are often dismissed as flat and boring. But Saskatchewan is so much more than this. We are home to the beautiful Athabasca Lake, surrounded by the most northerly active sand dune formation on earth and home… Read more

Transforming Migrant Work Conditions by Migrant Worker Justice for Saskatchewan

January 31, 2017

Introduction They are cooks, cleaners, wait staff. They are welders, electricians, and construction workers. They are nurses, physicians, and live-in caregivers. They are manual labourers in greenhouses and throughout the agricultural sector. Residents of Saskatchewan have direct and indirect encounters with them on a daily basis, whether it is each… Read more

Kisiskatchewan Water Alliance Network on pipeline safety and protection of water

January 30, 2017

  The last seven months – July 2016 – January 2017 – has seen two major oil spills in Saskatchewan. This has prompted important reactions about the safety of pipelines both existing and in development. It has galvanized communities to take action against the pipeline dependence that is destroying environments… Read more

Angelina and Daniel Beveridge on an upstream diabetes/obesity strategy

January 30, 2017

Upstream: Toward a Provincial Strategy on Obesity Prevention We have heard that Saskatchewan has a financial deficit of about $1 billion.  We know that a large proportion of our Saskatchewan budget, perhaps 40 percent, is devoted to what is called “health care” although more correctly it should be called illness… Read more

Committee for Future Generations on True Stewardship

January 30, 2017

    Indigenous Authority Over Their Lands: True Stewards Northern Saskatchewan has a population that is 80% Cree, Dene and Metis. Northern communities maintain a strong relationship with the lands, rivers and lakes of the boreal forest we call home. The lands and water are intrinsically tied to the physical,… Read more

Cheryl Stadnichuk on transforming freedom of information

January 27, 2017

Supporting the public’s right to know: how we need to reform our Freedom of Information legislation in Saskatchewan “The overarching purpose of access to information legislation is to facilitate democracy by helping to ensure that citizens have the information required to participate meaningfully in the democratic process and that politicians and bureaucrats… Read more

Austerity and Health by the People’s Health Movement – Canada

January 27, 2017

Austerity and Health: Some Lessons from Around the World; Some Cautions for Saskatchewan The People’s Health Movement – Canada (PHM‐C) agrees with the assessment of austerity’s failure as summarized by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) in their December 2016 report The Futility of Austerity: Lessons for Saskatchewan. We would… Read more

SGEU on investing in Saskatchewan workers

January 27, 2017

Introduction The “transformational change” promised by the Saskatchewan government in early 2016 has not materialized. Instead, Saskatchewan has primarily witnessed a series of knee-jerk service cuts and austerity measures, driven by desperation to reduce costs by any means possible in the face of a massive budgetary deficit. An important first… Read more

Tanya Andrusieczko on gender equality in policy-making

January 27, 2017

  Women disproportionately fare worse than men under conditions of austerity. Of course, women aren’t a unified group with internally coherent identities, and women don’t experience inequalities in the same ways. Indigenous women, women of colour, new immigrant and refugee women, settler women, queer women, trans women and non-binary folks,… Read more

Poverty Free Saskatchewan on a Transformative Approach to Poverty Elimination

January 27, 2017

The Government of Saskatchewan’s announcement following the budget of 2016 to launch a “transformational” agenda in response to a massive deficit was a puzzling and confusing political move. What exactly did Premier Wall have in mind? What magnitude of change was the government considering? Transform has two different meanings, “to… Read more

Transforming Policing by Colonialism No More and Voices for Justice and Police Accountability

January 27, 2017

  If we are serious about decolonization in Saskatchewan, then the role of police in targeting, harassing, assaulting, incarcerating, and disrespecting Indigenous people – as well as the low-income, disabled, and marginalized – must be addressed. Too many people experience the police as a violent, racist force in our cities,… Read more

Renters of Saskatoon and Area (ROSA) on Provincial Renting Concerns

January 26, 2017

  Renters of Saskatoon and Area (ROSA) is a grass-roots group of renters and allies, formed over 2 years ago. We have prioritized a few of our many renter concerns here. Saskatchewan’s rental housing market has failed to meet the needs of low income and marginalized renters in both the… Read more

Mark Bigland-Pritchard’s Green Energy Vision

January 26, 2017

  Green Energy and the SaskForward Vision By Mark Bigland-Pritchard The author is a Saskatoon-based independent energy consultant, with a background in applied physics and engineering. He is principal researcher for Green Energy Project Saskatchewan, and a core member of Climate Justice Saskatoon. Political views expressed here are his own.… Read more

Jim Harding for Qu’Appelle Valley Environmental Society on the Yancoal Southey Project

January 26, 2017

  YANCOAL SOUTHEY PROJECT: A HUGE STEP AWAY FROM SUSTAINABILITY 1. UNDERMINING PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: Yancoal’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was only released on April 23, 2016, yet Yancoal tells us in its April 17th letter that “the public comments deadline will be May 24th”. Meanwhile it took the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment… Read more

Don Moran on an Aboriginal Employment Strategy

January 25, 2017

  My idea for making Saskatchewan a better place to live is for the government to re-establish the successful employment strategy for Indigenous Peoples in this province. For 12 years, there was a program in place that improved employment for Aboriginal Peoples but the Wall government cancelled it and 98 partnership… Read more

Shawn O’Dell on transforming provincial-Indigenous relations

January 24, 2017

I would like to see a provincial government that doesn’t avoid improving the quality of life of Indigenous People and working towards reconciliation in Saskatchewan because of jurisdiction issues with the Federal Government. We’re all treaty people, and we need a province that acts like it. Saskatchewan can be a… Read more

Dr. Darlene Juschka on transformational change in SK

January 24, 2017

There are several changes I might propose in order to improve the quality of life for Saskatchewan folks: We need to move to green energy and green economy to ensure the health of the population in light of the high rates of cancer in the province; We need to deal… Read more

Transforming Prisons and Justice by Colonialism No More and Voices for Justice and Police Accountability

January 23, 2017

  OVERCROWDING IN SASKATCHEWAN PRISONS Over the last decade, overcrowding has become a major issue in the Saskatchewan prison system. Prison Boom The Saskatchewan prison population has grown by 51% since 2006. The current prisoner population is 1,792. Thus cells that were built for one prisoner are being double-bunked; and… Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Lois Camacho for a minimum wage that’s a living wage

January 20, 2017

Fight for Fifteen organizer Lois Camacho argues for a $15 minimum wage here in Saskatchewan. Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Barb Cape on Health Region Amalgamation

January 20, 2017

SEIU West president Barb Cape discusses the effect health region amalgamation will have on patient care and service quality in Saskatchewan. Read more

Ronni Nordal on transforming addictions treatment

January 20, 2017

There is an alarming need for additional resources to be directed towards addiction treatment in Saskatchewan. While there is a cost associated with addictions treatment, the corresponding savings to the people of Saskatchewan through reduced use of social programs, reduced emergent and long term medical care and reduced need for… Read more

Ryan Wright on transforming mental health care

January 20, 2017

Canada trails the pack when it comes to mental health funding in comparison to other industrially developed nations. In Saskatchewan specifically, only five percent of the provincial government’s health budget is earmarked for mental health. According to the Saskatchewan Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association, this is two percent less… Read more

Dan LeBlanc on transforming justice

January 18, 2017

Police officers are given discretion in how they do their jobs. When they use their discretion wisely, everyone benefits. Officers are given discretion as to who to charge with offences, and when to do so. Many charges are dropped once entered into the system. There is some focus on “diverting”… Read more

Dr. Andrew Stevens on urban renewal and infrastructure

January 18, 2017

It’s tough to figure out where we should start. First off, real “transformational change” would include an ambitious homelessness strategy that makes massive financial commitments for Housing First initiatives that are already off the ground in Regina and Saskatoon. Included in this funding arrangement would be resources adequate to provide… Read more

Statement to SaskForward from Chief Cadmus Delorme, Cowessess First Nation

January 18, 2017

“Success within Saskatchewan is about enhancing our greatest asset, our people. First Nations have endured a lot throughout generations and continue to strive for success and equality while maintaining what is core to ones self, proud to be First Nation. Inclusion and empowerment is the driver to successful First Nation… Read more

Josef Schmutz on sustainable energy and tourism

January 18, 2017

Saskatchewan covers 651,036 km comprising 6.5% of Canada.  Saskatchewan was settled by indigenous peoples as soon as the glaciers retreated roughly 11,000 years ago.  Saskatchewan includes four ecozones: prairie, the boreal transition, boreal forest and taiga.  Our province is home to at least seven First Nations and six Treaties are meant… Read more

Doug Mader on transforming our energy system

January 17, 2017

It is my view that our province should increase investment in both wind generated and solar generated electricity much faster than is currently being planned. There are many places where wind farms and solar generators of various types could be built with little or no significant affect on humans or… Read more

Dr. Charles Smith on provincial electoral reform

January 17, 2017

The Saskatchewan Party government has stated that it is interested in transforming the provincial state. Recognizing that much of the “transformative change” rhetoric is coming at a time of fiscal stress, there will undoubtedly be calls by some to drastically scale back important areas of the social welfare state. This… Read more

Stacey Strykowski on transforming healthcare

January 17, 2017

The transformational change needed in Saskatchewan is in health care. Our health care system pays out millions upon millions to CEOs and VPs each year while cutting front line staff – the people who actually make a difference in this world. By cutting management positions and putting some of that… Read more

Dr. Marc Spooner on transforming education

January 11, 2017

We must get away from the standardized testing– skill and drill– “quick fix” approach to improving educational outcomes– that would be my number one suggestion for real transformational change with regard to education policy in Saskatchewan. More tests won’t help, It’s just not that easy. If we don’t improve upon… Read more

Phil Johnson on an Ecologically-friendly Carbon Capture

January 10, 2017

Saskatchewan people are per capita the largest producers of climate changing greenhouse gases in Canada, and consequently nearing the top in the world. At the same time, the fertility of our agricultural lands is being degraded through large-field mono-cropping, over-tillage, and the heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These… Read more

Dr. Rachel Engler-Stringer on Food Insecurity

January 10, 2017

As a researcher who works in the area of household food insecurity, I would like to see policy and programs that ensure everyone is able to have the financial means to access the food they need to be healthy (whatever that means to them). This means ensuring we have a… Read more

Trevor Herriot on transforming agriculture

January 4, 2017

Globalization and industrialization have driven agriculture to the margins of Saskatchewan’s economic and cultural life, converting farming into an undervalued activity that provides the raw material for food processing and delivery industries that provide unhealthy food to fuel an overheated, profligate, carbon-emitting economy. One way to transform Saskatchewan, renew our… Read more

Iron and Earth on a just transition plan for energy workers

January 4, 2017

Over the summer we conducted our Workers’ Climate Plan in response to the federal governments National Climate Strategy consultations. We surveyed tradespeople and the public across the country to get their views on what a just transition for Canada’s future energy needs looks like and what is important to them… Read more

Regina’s Making Peace Vigil on eliminating homelessness

January 1, 2017

HOMELESS IN SASKATCHEWAN Currently, Saskatchewan is experiencing a homelessness crisis. Saskatoon’s 2015 point-in-time count found 450 people were homeless, a 19% increase over the previous count. In Regina, the YWCA is currently compiling a registry of homeless people. So far there are 240 names on the list. These figures do… Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

Mélissa Compain on creating school-community hubs

December 6, 2016

By Mélissa Compain. Saskatchewan teacher Mélissa Compain speaks to SaskForward on how neighbourhood schools could be used to host other community services and programs needed by the community. Read more

Featured Video Play Icon

April Chiefcalf speaks to SaskForward on NORTEP/NORPAC

December 5, 2016

By April Chiefcalf, NORTEP/NORPAC. April Chiefcalf speaks to us about the importance of NORTEP/NORPAC to the economy of Northern Saskatchewan in the wake of government cuts to the program. Read more

Peter, middle-aged white man, sitting in an empty church, looking at camera.

Brief to SaskForward: Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry

December 5, 2016

By Peter Gilmer, Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry.   Introduction The Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry (RAPM) is a social justice ministry of Wascana Presbytery of the United Church of Canada.  Bonnie Morton and myself work for a board which is a cross-section of church members, representatives of community groups that deal with poverty… Read more

The Futility of Austerity: Lessons for Saskatchewan

December 1, 2016

By The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Saskatchewan Office. Introduction The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Saskatchewan Office welcomes the opportunity to present our views and recommendations to SaskForward. The CCPA is Canada’s leading progressive think tank with offices in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.… Read more