The City of North Battleford will see funding for an addictions clinic as part of the province's 2020-21 budget highlights. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Mental Health Support

Addictions clinic announced for NB in province’s budget

Mar 19, 2020 | 1:27 PM

Among the highlights of the new 2020-21 provincial budget is funding to establish an addictions treatment centre in North Battleford to serve the region, known as the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic.

The RAAM clinic will provide “quick access” to specialized addictions treatment services, according to the province.

“This is really important to our community,” North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater said. “This is a very welcomed development… This has been something that has been identified for quite some time. It’s really encouraging that the province has identified this need, and is making this investment in our region.”

Bater said the clinic will offer an intake approach and a team of medical professionals who develop a treatment plan for individuals dealing with addictions. It’s “very, very good news,” he added.

According to the province, the annual funding for the RAAM clinic is $550,000. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health Kaitlyn Abel said in an email to battlefordsNOW the original plan was to have this clinic open July 1, 2020, so the pro-rated amount of funding for this year would be about $400,000. However, she said in light of the current circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening date may be delayed. The ongoing funding will support staff positions, supplies and minor renovations that may be required to help make the clinic operational.

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The province’s budget includes $434.5 million for mental health and addictions supports and services in total in Saskatchewan, including a targeted increase of $12 million compared to last year, with nearly $5.8 million to support addictions initiatives and a further $6.2 million to fund enhanced mental health services. This spending will also help develop specialized crystal meth inpatient treatment services in Estevan, increase access to mental health and addictions treatment beds and support, and provide intensive support services for children and youth.

Bater also mentioned the city is pleased to see the continuation of Saskatchewan’s municipal revenue-sharing program formula and increased funding in the program in the year ahead in the budget.

The province announced 2020-21 estimates provide $278 million in municipal revenue-sharing in total through the Ministry of Government Relations. Revenue sharing is up nearly $27 million from last year, or 11 per cent, and up almost 119 per cent since 2007-08.

The province’s municipal revenue-sharing program formula is based on three quarters of one point of the provincial sales tax (PST) revenue collected from the fiscal year two years prior to the current year, according to the province.

“Revenue sharing province-wide is going to increase this year,” Bater said. “Revenue sharing is important for us because it provides a solid and stable source of income for municipalities.”

The Cameron McIntosh Airport in North Battleford will also benefit in the new provincial budget with funding to continue upgrades.

Bater said the Community Airport Partnership (CAP) program is being continued this year and funding is expected to increase for the project.

“The city has been able to access matched-funding from the province for several years now to rehabilitate the Cameron McIntosh Airport,” the mayor said. “This airport serves the entire region of North-West Saskatchewan. It’s an important facility. So we will be applying again now that we know the funds are available in the budget, and hopefully our application is seen favourably.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW