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“Hush memo” dominates Question Period

John Cairns' Leg Watch
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The big story this past week in the legislature was of the “hush memo” controversy.

On Tuesday, the NDP sent out a news release about about a memo from the Saskatchewan Health Authority obtained through a freedom of information request. According to the NDP’s news release, that memo instructed frontline workers not to speak publicly about problems in health care, in response to “a number of instances of challenging that have not met communication standards.” The NDP stated the memo instructed Saskatchewan doctors to stop advocating for patients or even communicating with their licensing body without SHA approval, and to edit controversial issues from meeting minutes “if you do not want to see it in the newspaper.”

NDP Leader Ryan Meili raised the issue in Question Period and that exchange with health minister Jim Reiter is recorded in Hansard.

Mr. Meili: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Everywhere I go in Saskatchewan, I hear from front-line workers who are deeply concerned about dangerous choices made by this government. They want the public to really know what’s happening in health care, in social services, in education. But they’re afraid to tell their story, scared of retribution from a vindictive government desperate to hide from their failures. Now, Mr. Speaker, in health care in particular, that fear, that culture of secrecy has nurses and doctors too afraid to speak out about what’s really going on in our hospitals.

Today we’re releasing a Saskatchewan Health Authority memo that further reveals this government’s allergy to transparency, Mr. Speaker, a memo that sends physicians and others the clear message that challenging the SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] talking points is unacceptable.

We know there are problems in our hospitals, Mr. Speaker. To the Premier: why is the SHA sending memos telling front-line staff to be silent about their concerns?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, another secret memo, Mr. Speaker, like the ones last week that are widely distributed to staff everywhere. Mr. Speaker, I don’t even know what memo the member opposite is talking about. No direction has come from my office or from this government to muzzle anyone. Mr. Speaker, if he’d like to either table the memo or explain what he’s talking about, I’d be pleased to answer.

The Speaker: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Meili: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This memo criticized physician leaders who have communicated directly with external agencies, external agencies like the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. And it goes on to say that this external communication has led to, and I quote, “discordant messaging.” Discordant messaging, there’s some Newspeak for you, Mr. Speaker. That’s code. That’s code for don’t tell the public the truth about the real problems in our emergency rooms, our wards, our long-term care homes.

Doctors are obliged to advocate for their patients. It’s our professional duty. And the public has a right to know the truth. To the Premier: will he make it clear to health care workers that they’re not just permitted, but encouraged to advocate on behalf of their patients to fight for the resources they need to do their job, or does he stand behind this memo telling them to be silent about their concerns?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, neither the Premier or I have even seen the memo that he’s talking about. So, Mr. Speaker, I’m going to take that under advisement, based on some of the so-called top secret, earth-shaking memos that they’ve released in the past, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know what that memo says but, Mr. Speaker, it wasn’t as a directive from myself or from the Premier…

The debate resumed Wednesday as Meili once again raised the issue of the health authority memo.

Mr. Meili:...  So my question for the Premier: will he today make it clear that honesty about what’s really happening in health care is more important than covering his own political hide, or will he continue to put politics before people?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, that’s just wrong on so many levels. Mr. Speaker, when the member introduced the memo in the House yesterday, neither the Premier nor I had seen it before. We did not direct that memo. Mr. Speaker, I do believe it was poorly worded. It could have been worded much more clearly. But the SHA did a statement to the media which clarified that, Mr. Speaker. In part it says:

The SHA does not have a policy, nor was there ever any intent to restrict staff or physicians from exercising their right to free speech. We recognize additional clarity is required. We will be working in the following days to ensure staff and physicians are clear on the intent of this memo…

Mr. Meili: — … This government is letting people down, letting down the workers on the front line, and letting down the health of Saskatchewan people. Does the Premier believe that the people of Saskatchewan deserve a government that’s willing to fix hallway medicine, or is he happy with one that simply sweeps it under the rug and does everything they can to hide the information from the public?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Reiter: —  … Mr. Speaker, this is just . . . It’s completely wrong. I mentioned about meeting with the Leader of the Opposition before he was elected in government. I met with him and a colleague of his — Dr. Stuart Skinner I believe his name is — who were advocating on behalf for their HIV [human immunodeficiency virus] patients. Mr. Speaker, as a result of that and many other conversations and many other policy decisions, we became, I believe, the first province in the country to universally cover HIV medication.

Mr. Speaker, was that member scared? Was he scared for his job at the time, Mr. Speaker? I don’t think so.

The Speaker: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Meili: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s absolutely true. I’ve spoken up as an advocate on health issues over and over again, and I won’t stop today. It’s also absolutely true that my colleagues at that time and my colleagues today and so many other front-line workers experience the fear of speaking out. They’re worried that funds will be cut from their programs. They’re worried that they will lose their jobs. And you know what? It seems like there’s someone . . .

[Interjections]

The Speaker: — Order. Order. I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Meili: — Mr. Speaker, it seems there’s someone else who’s afraid to speak out today. Maybe he got a hush memo from the folks who are really running the show on that side.

So my question for the Premier: how does he feel about the fact that his government has a reputation for intimidating front-line workers into silence?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, I know the Premier very well, and I think of any fears he may have, the Leader of the Opposition is not one of them.