Summary

Bill 622 amends The Provincial Health Authority Act to prohibit the Saskatchewan Health Authority board from passing resolutions to increase the remuneration of its own members during any period when the authority is negotiating contracts with unions representing healthcare workers.

Under current law, the Saskatchewan Health Authority board can set its own members' remuneration by resolution. This bill adds a restriction: the board cannot vote to increase what it pays its members while contract negotiations with healthcare worker unions are ongoing. The bill does not define what counts as 'ongoing negotiations' or specify which unions or healthcare worker groups trigger the freeze. It also does not specify whether the freeze applies to cost-of-living adjustments, benefits, or only base pay. The restriction would remain in place for the entire duration of any contract negotiation period, however long that takes. Once a contract is concluded, the board would regain the ability to increase its members' pay.