Saskatchewan breast cancer patients can’t afford Calgary trip for care: emails

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This article was published 11/03/2025 (241 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REGINA – Leaked Saskatchewan government emails say some breast cancer patients are choosing not to go to Calgary for treatment because they can’t afford it.

The emails, provided to the Opposition NDP, include correspondence last week between an official with the Saskatchewan Party government and a patient. The NDP said it redacted their names to protect their identities.

“There have been patients that chose not to go to Calgary due to costs,” the official says in the email exchange.

“I completely agree with you that some people can’t participate in this initiative because they don’t have the funds available to pay the costs upfront or they don’t have a reliable vehicle to get them to Calgary and can’t afford airfare.”

The province has been sending patients to a private clinic in Calgary for about a year to reduce wait times. The government provides up to $1,500 per patient to cover costs.

Last month, Saskatchewan extended its contract for another year with Canadian Surgery Solutions Ltd. to provide diagnostics at a cost of up to $2.4 million. 

In the email, the official says the patient was reimbursed $1,500.

An NDP spokesperson said the patient travelled to Calgary because her case was severe. The spokesperson said she spent above that amount and was looking to see if more could be done. 

“Unfortunately, the (doctor’s) opinion does not change the fact that there is a maximum of $1,500 reimbursement regardless of the circumstances,” the email says. 

“I think if (the doctor) feels that you needed to be placed higher on the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s waiting list that would be an issue to take up with the Saskatchewan Health Authority or your doctor.” 

Meara Conway, the NDP critic for rural and remote health, told reporters Tuesday that the Calgary plan is failing women and it’s unacceptable they can’t get care in Saskatchewan.

“No cash, no car, no mammogram — that’s not how it should be,” Conway said.

“This province used to be a national leader in health care. Now after 17 years of the Saskatchewan Party government, women can’t even get a basic diagnostic test for breast cancer at home.”

She said the province needs to boost capacity to ensure everyone has timely and equal access.

“It’s creating a two-tier system in the birthplace of medicare,” Conway said. 

The Health Ministry said in an emailed statement it recognizes travel reimbursement may not cover entire costs in every case. 

“While the cost of most medically necessary procedures is publicly funded, the costs of travel accommodation and meals to access medical services are not normally insured under Saskatchewan health system,” the ministry said.

The province has said sending patients to Calgary is temporary and it’s working to build capacity in the health system.

About 472 patients had diagnostic procedures in Calgary, the province has said, bringing wait times down to a clinically recommended target of three weeks or less.

The ministry added it’s looking forward to opening this spring the new Regina Breast Health Centre, which plans to offer timely treatment to patients closer to home. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 11, 2025.