Lloydminster remains without a timeline or clear standing for a replacement of Jubilee Home, even as Saskatchewan moves forward with new long-term care projects elsewhere in the province.
Earlier this month, the Saskatchewan government issued Requests for Proposal for replacement long-term care homes in Watson and Estevan, projects that were first announced in the 2021 provincial budget.
No similar announcement has been made for Lloydminster, where the aging Jubilee Home has long been identified by residents, families, and local officials as a priority for replacement.
In a written response to questions from The Border Pulse, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health did not provide a ranking, timeline, or criteria explaining why Watson and Estevan moved forward ahead of Lloydminster.
The ministry confirmed the Watson and Estevan projects were approved in 2021 and said decisions on major capital projects are made through the annual provincial budget process, citing competing priorities across Saskatchewan.
The ministry also pointed to an ongoing bi-provincial health services needs assessment involving Saskatchewan and Alberta, which it said will help inform future planning for health services in the Lloydminster area.
Despite acknowledging that replacing Jubilee Home is a priority for many residents, the ministry did not indicate when a replacement project for Lloydminster could be considered or advanced.
Questions submitted to the province
The Border Pulse asked the Ministry of Health the following questions:
- Where does a replacement for Lloydminster’s Jubilee Home rank on Saskatchewan’s long-term care priority list compared to the Watson and Estevan projects that now have RFPs issued?
- What specific criteria were used to determine that Watson and Estevan would move forward under a third-party model before Lloydminster, despite Lloydminster serving a larger population with fewer long-term care beds?
- Has the Ministry of Health or Saskatchewan Health Authority set a target timeline for issuing an RFP or business case for a Jubilee Home replacement, and if not, why?
- If the Jubilee Home is assessed as being in “good” condition, how does the province reconcile continued capital investment in maintenance with the acknowledged long-term need for a replacement facility?
- What concrete steps is the province taking to ensure Lloydminster seniors are not placed outside the community due to bed shortages while other projects advance elsewhere in Saskatchewan?
None of the questions were directly answered in the ministry’s response.
MLA response
Colleen Young, MLA for Lloydminster, provided the following written response to The Border Pulse:
“As you are aware, I have been a strong advocate in replacing the Jubilee Home with a new build on the Saskatchewan side of Lloydminster. I have had numerous meetings and tours of Jubilee Home and our hospital, with Health Ministers over the last 12 years, working on behalf of my constituents, to help the government see the need for more LTC beds in our community to keep our senior residents living in the province and close to their families. I have even worked with a community partner to secure the land.
Our government is aware that replacing Jubilee Home is a priority for many residents in Lloydminster. Consideration of major projects are forwarded through the Sask Builds board and occurs as part of the annual budget development process. There are many competing infrastructure projects coming forward all the time.
The Watson and Estevan LTC replacements were announced already in the 2021 budget and I was not privy to those decisions.
I will continue to advocate for more Lloydminster, Saskatchewan long-term care beds and a hospice. I welcome the opportunity at anytime to hear concerns from my constituents on all matters, including long-term care services.”
Ministry response
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health provided the following statement through Dale Hunter, senior media relations consultant:
“Future planning for replacement long-term care homes in Watson and Estevan was announced in the provincial budget released in 2021. The Request for Proposal (RFP) posted January 19th is seeking proponents to design, build, maintain and operate the facilities.
As you are aware, a health services needs assessment is underway, which will consider future health services demand and changing demographics of the Lloydminster area. The needs assessment will be used by Saskatchewan and Alberta to inform future planning around health system operational needs in the community.
The Government of Saskatchewan is aware that replacing Jubilee Home is a priority for many residents in the community.
The Ministry of Health works with partner organizations, including the Saskatchewan Health Authority, to ensure that investments are made to address the highest capital priorities. Consideration of major projects occurs as part of the province’s annual budget development process. There are many competing needs, and all must be reviewed as part of the budget process.
Maintenance of existing long-term care facilities is best practice to ensure safe delivery of services for residents, patients, visitors and staff.
We work to achieve the best possible placement for all residents requiring long-term care. When an individual is approved for long-term care, they move to the first available appropriate home, based on their care requirements, within a 150 km radius of their home.”
We will continue to follow-up on when Lloydminster might see a new LTC home to keep seniors in our community.
The story is a follow-up to earlier reporting by The Border Pulse on Saskatchewan’s long-term care announcements.
Read more: Lloydminster left waiting as Saskatchewan announces two new LTC homes
