NDP: sex assault victims in Prince Albert at further risk due to lack of gov’t funding

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“This decision shows that Scott Moe and his Minister either don’t understand or are choosing to ignore the severity and urgency of this issue. Neither option is acceptable to Saskatchewan people.” 

Refused funding request

NDP: sex assault victims in Prince Albert at further risk due to lack of gov't funding

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Shadow Minister for Women’s Health Jacqueline Roy noted PA is a hub for northern communities and restricting access to forensic supports is unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/K1kkAIIWB0

— Nigel Maxwell (@NigelMaxwell) April 9, 2026

In an email to paNOW, the Ministry of Health said it spends nearly $1.8 million annually to support the SANE program which allows for SANE coordinators in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, as well as 24/7 SANE coverage in the Regina and Saskatoon emergency departments.

“In Prince Albert, sexual assault services for survivors are provided by either a SANE-trained registered nurse, the SANE coordinator or physicians in the emergency departments outside of core SANE coordinator hours, which are roughly 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” the email read. “Sexual assault examinations can also be performed by other trained health care staff when SANE is not immediately available.”

There are currently 20 sexual assault nurse examiners across the province, with two additional nurses currently in training.

The statement from the Ministry of Health said this year’s budget includes $33.5 million through the justice system to provide programming and services that address interpersonal violence and abuse, including sexual violence. That includes over $1.8 million in funding for sexual assault services that “provide direct supports to victims of sexual assault, including crisis counselling, accompanying individuals to medical, legal and social services appointments, and information, referral and education initiatives on prevention.”

The Ministry of Justice and Attorney General also provides $100,000 in funding for transportation services that help victims of sexual violence access urgent medical care, including sexual assault examinations.

Roy maintains that rejecting a requested funding increase for SANE services puts survivors at risk.

“By limiting these services, this government is telling survivors in Prince Albert and across half the province that support can wait. It cannot.” 

An employee that paNOW spoke with at the Prince Albert Sexual Assault Centre said in the three years they’ve worked there, they had never encountered a situation where a client had to wait for a forensic exam for an unacceptable or unusual amount of time, whether that was within the core hours or outside of them.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell