The Saskatchewan Party is unveiling new plans for self-screening for Cervical Cancer and fertility treatment tax credit

The Saskatchewan Party, led by Premier Scott Moe, is unveiling two new initiatives aimed at improving women’s health services, as part of their re-election platform. These proposals target vital areas of healthcare, specifically cervical cancer screening and fertility treatments.

One of the key components of the Saskatchewan Party’s healthcare platform is the introduction of self-screening for cervical cancer. If re-elected, the Saskatchewan government will provide women between the ages of 25 and 69 with the option of receiving a self-sampling kit by mail to test for the human papillomavirus. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.

Currently, women in Saskatchewan are encouraged to undergo Pap tests, with reminders sent every three years by the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. The self-screening initiative will offer an alternative to this traditional method, allowing women to conduct the test in the comfort of their own homes. This move will make Saskatchewan only the second province in Canada, after British Columbia, to offer self-screening for cervical cancer. Proponents of the program believe that the added convenience will lead to more regular screenings and early diagnosis, which can ultimately save lives.

Laura Ross, a Saskatchewan Party candidate and cancer survivor, “Early diagnosis gives you the best chance of beating cancer,” Ross said, adding that self-screening could remove some of the barriers that prevent women from getting tested.

Fellow Saskatchewan Party candidate and cancer survivor Sarah Wright echoed Ross’s sentiments. “I’m so proud to be part of a political party that not just supports women’s health but is raising the bar for women’s health in Canada,” Wright stated.

In addition to cervical cancer self-screening, the Saskatchewan Party is also pledging to assist families struggling with infertility. Party leader Scott Moe announced a refundable tax credit aimed at easing the financial burden associated with fertility treatments, should the party win re-election.

The tax credit would cover 50% of the cost of a first fertility treatment, including associated prescription drug costs, up to a maximum of $20,000. This would translate into a $10,000 benefit for eligible families, making fertility treatment more accessible to Saskatchewan residents.

The rising costs of fertility treatments can place a significant strain on families seeking to have children. With this tax credit, the Saskatchewan Party hopes to ease some of that financial pressure and provide more families with the opportunity to pursue fertility treatments.

Moe framed the initiative as part of a broader plan to improve the quality of life for Saskatchewan residents. “A strong and growing economy means our government can provide better services for everyone, and these are two ways we can improve healthcare for women in Saskatchewan,” he said.

Both of these proposals are aimed at addressing gaps in healthcare services for women, something the Saskatchewan Party believes is critical to their platform. Voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on the issue of women’s health when they head to the polls on October 28th. Prior to election day – both parties will be part of a live televised debate on Access Communications airing October 7th and 8th. The debate will feature candidates from a variety of ridings across the province.