The ALS Society of Saskatchewan and provincial NDP are pressing for answers following disturbing allegations of mismanagement and neglect at Moose Jaw’s specialized ALS health facility. Reports of deteriorating care standards have sparked outrage among patients’ families and advocacy groups, thrusting the centre into an unwelcome spotlight as calls for a formal investigation intensify.
“What we’re hearing from families is absolutely heartbreaking,” said Denis Simard, Executive Director of the ALS Society of Saskatchewan. “Patients with ALS require specialized, consistent care. The allegations suggest this fundamental standard is not being met, and that demands immediate attention.”
Multiple families have come forward with accounts of reduced staffing levels, delayed response times to patient calls, and what they describe as a noticeable decline in care quality at the facility dedicated to serving those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
The Saskatchewan NDP has seized on these concerns, with Health Critic Vicki Mowat calling the situation “a catastrophic failure of oversight” during a press conference at the Legislative Building on Tuesday. “When we’re talking about a facility specifically designed to care for some of our most vulnerable citizens, there can be no room for negligence or cost-cutting measures that impact patient care,” Mowat stated.
Documents obtained through freedom of information requests reportedly show staffing reductions coinciding with administrative changes at the facility earlier this year. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations, stating only that “all concerns regarding patient care are taken seriously and thoroughly reviewed.”
Family members of patients have described being forced to supplement care themselves, with some reporting spending hours at the facility daily to ensure their loved ones receive adequate attention. “My mother shouldn’t have to wait 45 minutes for someone to respond when she needs assistance,” said Jennifer Kowalski, whose mother has been a resident at the centre for 18 months. “The staff who remain are trying their best, but they’re clearly overwhelmed.”
The SHA has promised an internal review, but advocacy groups and opposition leaders are pushing for an independent investigation. “Self-evaluation is insufficient when trust has been so severely compromised,” said Simard. “We need external eyes to examine what’s happening and why.”
Health Minister Everett Hindley responded to the allegations by promising “full transparency” but stopped short of committing to an external investigation. “We want to understand the facts before determining next steps,” Hindley told reporters.
ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects approximately 3,000 Canadians, with two to three people diagnosed each day. The progressive nature of the disease means patients require increasingly complex care as their condition advances.
The Moose Jaw facility, opened in 2017 with considerable public funding and support, was heralded as a specialized care environment specifically designed to meet the unique needs of ALS patients. Its current troubles raise questions about healthcare prioritization and resource allocation within Saskatchewan’s health system.
As pressure mounts for accountability, the underlying question remains increasingly urgent: in a healthcare system already stretched thin, how can we ensure our most vulnerable citizens—those with complex, progressive conditions like ALS—receive the specialized care they were promised, rather than becoming casualties of systemic healthcare challenges?
