As I stepped through the sliding doors of Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital last Tuesday, the scene was familiar yet increasingly strained. In the emergency waiting area, a young mother tried to soothe her feverish toddler while an elderly man with labored breathing sat nearby, his adult daughter checking her watch repeatedly. The digital display showed expected wait times of 4+ hours.
“It’s been like this for months,” whispered Elaine Kowalchuk, a nurse who’s worked here for over two decades. “We’re seeing more patients than ever, but our resources haven’t kept pace with the growth.”
This tension between Saskatoon’s booming population and its healthcare infrastructure reached a breaking point this spring, prompting the Saskatchewan government to announce a healthcare expansion plan that officials promise will address critical gaps in service delivery across the province.
Saskatoon, now home to nearly 335,000 residents, has experienced population growth of 12.6% since 2016, according to Statistics Canada’s latest demographic report. The city’s healthcare network, originally designed for a much smaller community, has struggled to accommodate this influx.
“We’re seeing unprecedented pressures on our emergency departments, surgical waitlists, and primary care access,” explains Dr. Mahli Brindamour, a Saskatoon pediatrician who works with vulnerable populations. “The reality is that many patients are falling through the cracks while we try to manage with limited resources.”
The province’s newly announced expansion plan includes investments in three key areas: infrastructure, workforce development, and technological modernization. Healthcare Minister Everett Hindley outlined the framework during a press conference at St. Paul’s Hospital, where he acknowledged the current challenges while emphasizing a forward-looking approach.
“We understand that Saskatoon’s growth represents both an opportunity and a responsibility,” Hindley stated. “This expansion plan is about ensuring our healthcare system grows alongside our communities.”
The plan’s most visible component involves $427 million in capital investments, including the expansion of emergency departments at both Royal University and St. Paul’s hospitals, adding a combined 68 treatment spaces. Additionally, the province has committed to constructing three new urgent care centres in high-growth neighborhoods – Stonebridge, Evergreen, and Rosewood – where residents currently face lengthy commutes to access emergency services.
When I visited the proposed Stonebridge site last week, it was still an empty field surrounded by new housing developments. Young families pushed strollers along freshly paved sidewalks, many likely unaware of the healthcare facility planned for their neighborhood.
“Having something closer would be life-changing,” said Megan Toles, a mother of three who moved to the area last year. “Last month, my son needed stitches, and the drive to RUH felt endless, especially with a bleeding child in the backseat.”
Beyond bricks and mortar, the plan addresses Saskatchewan’s chronic healthcare worker shortage. The province has committed $156 million toward recruitment and retention initiatives, including expanded training programs at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Saskatchewan, incentives for rural placements, and international recruitment efforts.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority currently reports over 2,000 vacant healthcare positions across the province, with critical shortages in nursing, laboratory services, and specialized care. These vacancies have contributed to service reductions, including temporary emergency room closures in smaller communities and delayed surgeries.
“Buildings alone won’t solve our healthcare crisis,” notes Tracy Zambory, president of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses. “We need a comprehensive workforce strategy that addresses burnout, ensures safe staffing levels, and creates conditions where healthcare workers want to stay in Saskatchewan.”
The expansion plan’s third pillar involves modernizing healthcare delivery through technology. The province has earmarked $83 million to implement a province-wide electronic health record system, expand virtual care options, and develop predictive analytics capabilities to better manage resources.
Dr. Cory Neudorf, professor of Community Health and Epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan, sees potential in these technological investments but cautions against viewing them as a quick fix.
“Digital tools can certainly improve efficiency and coordination,” Neudorf explains, “but they need to complement, not replace, the essential human elements of healthcare. The most sophisticated system in the world still requires adequate staffing and resources to function effectively.”
While government officials describe the expansion plan as transformative, community advocates and healthcare experts raise questions about implementation timelines and whether the investments truly match the scale of need.
Jason Aebig, CEO of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, views healthcare infrastructure as essential to sustainable economic growth. “As businesses consider expansion or relocation to Saskatoon, access to quality healthcare is a key consideration for both employers and their workforce,” Aebig notes. “This investment signals that we’re planning for continued growth.”
Indigenous leaders have expressed cautious optimism while emphasizing the need for culturally responsive care. Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief Heather Bear acknowledged the plan’s potential while calling for meaningful involvement of Indigenous communities in its implementation.
“Any expansion must address the unique needs of First Nations people,” Bear stated. “This means not just physical access to services but creating spaces where Indigenous patients feel safe, respected, and understood.”
As I walked through Saskatoon’s Riversdale neighborhood the day after the announcement, I spoke with residents about their healthcare experiences. Their stories revealed a complex landscape of need that extends beyond emergency care to mental health services, addiction treatment, and preventive care.
“I’ve been on a waitlist to see a psychiatrist for nine months,” shared university student Devon Mackenzie. “The expansion plan sounds promising, but will it help people like me who are struggling now?”
This question of timing echoes throughout discussions of the expansion plan. Most infrastructure projects won’t be completed until 2027 at the earliest, leaving immediate pressures unaddressed. Healthcare providers warn that without interim solutions, the system risks further deterioration.
As Saskatoon continues its rapid growth trajectory, the healthcare expansion plan represents an acknowledgment of changing needs and a commitment to future capacity. Whether it will be enough – and whether it will arrive soon enough – remains to be seen.
For now, in waiting rooms across the city, the daily reality of healthcare access continues to unfold in moments of frustration, patience, and hope.
