Residents of Pelican Narrows are calling on the provincial government to make dire upgrades to that community’s airstrip.
A petition tabled in the Legislative Assembly Monday by Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette states “that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Sask Party government to recognize that the community of Pelican Narrows is in dire need of upgrades to their airstrip to meet air medevac standards and provide access to health services, and commit to immediately provide resources for upgrading of the current airstrip.”
Vermette says the petition has the support of hundreds of people including leadership.
Northern mothers-to-be were informed that as of November 18, the Flin Flon hospital would no longer be preforming baby deliveries, forcing them to either have their delivery in Prince Albert or The Pas.
Rural Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit says the Flin Flon hospital no longer has a permanent obstetrician and is having recruitment issues. “They’ve been trying to backfill with locums and support of services. They don’t feel it’s safe,” Ottenbreit said.
Vermette says at a recent town hall meeting concerns were expressed about emergency situations and that an upgrade to the Pelican Narrows airstrip was needed.
(PHOTO: Pelican Narrows. Courtesy of Woodland Aerial Photography.)