The provincial government has allocated $3.5 million in the 2026-27 budget to begin the planning phase for a new regional hospital in Yorkton. Along with the funding, the province announced a change to its funding model that will lower the financial responsibility for local communities, a move intended to reduce the burden on Yorkton taxpayers.
Under the provincial government’s new Patients First Health Care Plan, the local share of capital costs for new health facilities has been reduced from 20 per cent to 10 per cent. This policy change will apply to the upcoming project as the province moves forward with plans for a facility to replace the current Yorkton Regional Health Centre.
The existing hospital is the only full regional facility on the east side of Saskatchewan, serving an estimated 120,000 residents. Past assessments have indicated that the current building suffers from aging infrastructure, limited space, and design constraints that make necessary upgrades difficult to complete without major disruptions to services.
Yorkton MLA David Chan stated that the allocation is a meaningful step forward in the process. However, the project has faced scrutiny from opposition members. The Saskatchewan NDP has noted that discussions regarding a replacement for the hospital began in 2011, with initial conceptual plans presented to the public in 2012.
NDP leadership has criticized the pace of the project, while committing to prioritize the start of construction if their party forms the next government. As planning continues, The Health Foundation of Yorkton is expected to assist with future fundraising efforts for equipment and local contributions once the final project scope is determined.
The provincial budget, which includes a total capital investment of $4.3 billion, also reports an $819 million deficit for the province this year.
