Gary Tinker of Pinehouse has been left stranded for years. Tinker advocates for people with disabilities in the north, including himself as he has cerebral palsy.
He relied on Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) to get around, but they seized operations in 2017, leaving hitch hiking to be his only viable option.
Every December 3rd is International Day of Person’s with Disabilities and Tinker made his way to Regina to observe it at the legislature.
In order to get there, he had to hitch hike from Pinehouse to Shellbrook, which is 380 kilometers. In Shellbrook, he caught a ride with Athabasca NDP MLA Buckley Belanger the rest of the way to Regina.
During legislature, Belanger challenged the Saskatchewan Party about the lack of options for people travelling in the north with disabilities.
“While the minister has pointed to a number of startups as some kind of half measure to replace STC, we know those routes don’t extend into the north,” says Belanger. “What does the minister have to say to advocates, like Gary, who sees this government’s actions as nothing short as a violation of their constitutional and human rights?” he asks.
Prince Albert Carlton Sask. Party MLA, Joe Hargrave, who is responsible for transportation companies, responded that the federal government is looking at moving some funding around to help people like Tinker.
“No province in this country has a provincial bus system, and this government is not interested in getting another bus system,” adds Hargrave. “There’s many organizations, many companies that have started systems throughout the province, Mr. Speaker. There is one from La Ronge down to Prince Albert and Saskatoon that’s working very efficiently.”
Hargrave was quickly reminded that they have all closed as well, when he rebutted that it was because nobody was using them.
“The minister gets up last week and says, ‘well, there is medical taxis’. Did you know $800 (is what) it costs if I wanted to get to Saskatoon? Who is going to pay for that? I do. I have no money. I have money for bus fare,” explains Tinker. “I’m so mad at it. It’s shameful they are taking away our rights as disabled people.”
In 1989, Gary Tinker walked 650 kilometers from La Ronge to Regina on crutches to raise awareness about the challenges that people face about getting around.
Cerebral palsy is a caused by injury to the brain before or during birth and damages muscle coordination.
(Disabilities advocate Gary Tinker (right) with La Ronge Town Councilor, Jordan Mcphail (left). Photo by Dan Jones)