The 2024-25 Provincial Budget builds on the foundation of the Health Human Resources Action Plan (HHR Action Plan) by continuing to invest in recruiting, training and retaining health professionals throughout the province. This includes increases to new and incremental training seats and more opportunities for students to train right here in Saskatchewan.
Budget highlights include:
The Government of Saskatchewan continues to build on the successful foundation of the Health Human Resources Action Plan, which is entering its third year. The HHR Action Plan is a collaborative partnership between the ministries of Health, Advanced Education and Immigration and Career Training.
Ministry of Health
- $11.6-million increase (total annual funding of $33.8 million) to stabilize rural and remote staffing, which supports 250 new and enhanced full-time permanent positions in nine high-priority classifications added in 54 rural and remote locations.
- $6.7-million increase for the Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive (total annual funding of $8.7 million). This will fund existing program recipients completing their first and second-year service agreements and extend the intake for this program.
- $1.5-million new investment for students enrolled in health care training programs located in other provinces where Saskatchewan has invested in specific training seats.
- $1.1-million increase (total annual funding of $1.5 million) to enhance clinical placement capacity within the Saskatchewan Health Authority to support expansion of training seats.
- $1-million increase to the Rural Physician Incentive Program to support rural physician recruitment and retention.
- $1 million in new funding to enhance resources for clinical leadership and support for nurses working in rural and northern locations.
Other key HHR Action Plan commitment increases in 2024-25 include:
- $3.8-million increase for the College of Medicine to add new residency training seats in areas like family medicine, anesthesia and psychiatry, as well as academic staff required to support expanded capacity.
- $1.1 million for a new Clinical Associate Program to provide opportunities for international physicians who are not eligible for regular licensure to provide care under physician supervision and vital support to key areas of the health system.
- $600,000 increase for a total of $4.9 million to the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA).
- This will supplement the current 45 seats annually with an additional six to eight SIPPA seats.
- SIPPA assesses internationally educated physicians on their medical training and clinical ability as part of the licensure process to practice medicine in Saskatchewan.
- $405,000 to develop and implement training related to the expansion of pharmacist scope of practice.
Ministry of Advanced Education
- $3.6 million this year in new opportunities for students to train in health sciences programs in the province:
- Physician Assistant: a new two-year master’s program at the University of Saskatchewan will accept 20 students annually, beginning in fall 2025;
- Speech Language Pathology: a new two-year master’s program at the University of Saskatchewan will accept 40 students annually, beginning in 2026-27;
- Occupational Therapy: a new two-year master’s program at the University of Saskatchewan will accept 40 students annually, beginning in 2026-27; and
- Respiratory Therapy: a three-year diploma program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic will accept 20 students annually, beginning in fall 2026.
Ministry of Immigration and Career Training:
- $4.1 million investment for training and settlement supports for in-demand health occupations, including:
- $2.4 million to support training seats for continuing care aids, licensed practical nurses and medical lab assistants; and
- $1.8 million for credential recognition supports, such as streamlined and accelerated assessments, training and licensure pathways and settlement programming for internationally trained health care workers.