Screengrab courtesy of Saskatchewan Legislature video.
The NDP Opposition is questioning why some of the victims of the La Loche shooting in 2016 are still suffering 17 months later.
Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger raised the question in the Legislature during Question Period and brought up the plight of substitute teacher Charlene Klyne.
Klyne was injured during the shooting which left four people dead and six others injured.
Belanger told the House that Klyne has completely lost her vision in her right eye, and can only see dark shadows with the other. She was offered $50,000 by Workers Compensation for the loss of her eyesight.
Belanger also mentioned she has 13 pellets throughout her chest and neck and her doctor recommended massage therapy to remedy the pain because surgery may be too dangerous, but WCB is only allowing five sessions to deal with her pain management.
“Charlene survived, but she is still suffering,” said Belanger. He says that government ministers and the Premier have offered kind words, but Klyne and others are still waiting.
“Every day has been a struggle for me and my family,” Klyne stated after Question Period. “Having to move and deal with medical appointments on top of going back and forth with the government has made me feel like a victim all over again. It’s discouraging that, after all I and other victims have been through, we now have to fight for proper compensation.”
Rural and Remote Health minister Greg Ottenbreit responded by saying that mental health supports in the north have been increased and the government acknowledges there is more work to do.
“If there is still a need, the government will address that to the best of their ability, as well as increasing access to care, whether it is psychiatric or through increased care or with remote sensing technology,” he added.
Belanger says the victims need more than words and asked when the SaskParty would take real action.
“These victims need and deserve more than just lip service after all they have been through,” Belanger said.
According to a government spokesperson, WCB says over $120,000 has been provided to Klyne for medical benefits, including massage therapy (which have been extended) — Personal Care Allowance ($892 per month), relocation expenses, home renovations to accommodate vision loss and surgeries.
The province says this does not include wage loss benefits of $781.95 per month (which will be increased as of January) or what she has received from Saskatchewan Justice.
The Victims Services Branch approved compensation for counselling expenses in the amount of $5,000.
Meanwhile, the government spokesperson says the Minister responsible for WCB, Don Morgan, has spoken with the ombudsman about this case and asked her to look into whether Klyne is receiving the supports she needs.