NDP slams redacted Yorkton hospital documents

The NDP says more than 800 pages of hospital records were heavily redacted, raising concerns about transparency about Yorkton’s new hospital.

NDP MLA Aleana Young held a press event Monday morning outside the Yorkton Regional Health Centre to raise concerns over heavily redacted documents provided in response to a freedom of information request.

“I’ve asked for any records related to contracts and timelines [from the Minister of Health]. I received no answer,” Young said.

She said the request sought documents related to both the current hospital and plans for a new facility.

“We filed a freedom of information request for every single document related to the Yorkton Hospital from 2011 to date,” she added.

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The province provided 840 pages, but the NDP says most were fully redacted.

“One or two pages I can completely understand. But 840 pages fully redacted is nonsense,” Young told reporters.

She said the information is in the public interest.

“This is information that the government and the privacy commissioner should make available to the taxpayers of Yorkton and to the province as a whole,” Young said.

Yorkton’s Saskatchewan Party MLA David Chan said the request was processed in accordance with provincial legislation.

“Redactions occur when documents contain cabinet confidences, commercially sensitive procurement information, or early-stage planning materials,” he said in a statement to CTV News.

He added funds have been planned since 2021 have supported feasibility studies, infrastructure reviews, and consultations with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and SaskBuilds.

“[The funds] have supported feasibility analysis, infrastructure review, and consultation with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and SaskBuilds,” he said. “I have met with local SHA leadership and the Health Foundation to ensure Yorkton’s needs are clearly articulated.”

The NDP said the redactions suggest the government is failing to deliver on its promises for a new hospital.

“Every single page fully redacted is not protecting confidentiality. That’s protecting a government who is gearing up to break a promise to Yorkton again,” Young said.

Chan said the government remains committed to the project.

“The new hospital will be built. That commitment stands. The priority at this stage is ensuring the new facility includes the appropriate scope of services for our growing and regional population, and those discussions are currently underway,” he said.

Chan did not provide a timeline for construction at this time.