By Colleen Smith

Battleford town council gives Sask. Hospital funding lukewarm reception

Jun 21, 2016 | 7:47 AM

A multi-million dollar plan to fundraise for Battleford’s new hospital has many in the community wondering why local residents are on the hook for a provincial project.

CEO of the Prairie North Health Region, David Fan proposed an $8 million dollar public funding plan to furnish and equip the new Saskatchewan Hospital, during a June 20 regular council meeting.

Council asked why local money was needed to fund a provincial hospital. Fan said while the health region was fundraising throughout the province, his formula was actually a government policy. The province is providing $407 million to build, while everything else is the responsibility of the municipality.

“You’d be surprised how little people know about Saskatchewan Hospital,” Fan said explaining why he was focusing primarily on the local rural municipalities. “It’s an uphill battle, requesting funding for mental health. It’s not as sexy as raising money for a children’s hospital, or a CT scanner. But it’s been in the province for over a hundred years, and it’s long overdue.”

Council decided to postpone the decision whether to fund the project or not. Battleford mayor Derek Mahon said the issue might have to wait until council’s 2016 budget deliberation period.

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Fan’s proposal was previously denied by local municipalities North Battleford and the RM of Battle River.

Email: colleen.smith@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @ColleenAJSmith