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The Canadian Snowbird Association • www.snowbirds.org • 1-800-265-3200
ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR USE DURING TRAVEL
C
(2006: B-)
The Saskatchewan Drug Plan will reimburse the cost of a six-month supply of prescription drugs, but the method is cum-
bersome for the patient. The on-line billing system will only process one three-month supply within a 45-day period. A
traveller may, however, purchase a six-month supply, then separately submit receipts for two three-month supplies. The
result is that the individual can receive payment for the complete six months, but not under a single reimbursement.
Saskatchewan reimburses Drug Plan participants for prescriptions purchased elsewhere in Canada. However, prescrip-
tion drugs purchased outside of Canada are not benefts under the Drug Plan and therefore will not be covered.
Change since last report:
Starting July 1, 2008, the Seniors’ Drug Plan has included an income test component, a par-
ticular burden for frequent travellers.
Recommendations:
Amend the Drug Plan program to cut the red tape requiring separate submissions for three-month
supplies of medications and allow travellers, at the discretion of accredited physicians and pharmacists, to obtain a sup-
ply of prescription medication equal to the permitted out-of-province travel time. Reimburse the cost of medication
prescribed by appropriately accredited physicians and dispensed outside the province.
ACCESS TO VOTING RIGHTS FOR TRAVELLERS
A+
(2006: A)
The Saskatchewan Election Act is a model of voting rights for travellers. Mail-in balloting is permitted and any voter who
presents satisfactory evidence to a returning ofcer or to the chief electoral ofcer that he or she will be unable to vote
at an advance poll or on polling day will be able to vote by absentee ballot. An absentee ballot application may be sub-
mitted by fax or other means of electronic transmission and must include the applicant voter’s signature in a graphical
representation. Applications for an absentee ballot, supported by the appropriate proof of identity and residency, may
be made at any time between the issue of a writ for an election and eight days before polling day. An absentee voter
may vote either for a candidate or a political party; this means that a ballot may be sent before nominations have closed.
A photocopy of satisfactory proof of the voter’s identity and place of ordinary residence is to be attached to the applica-
tion. Saskatchewan is also the only province that will accept mail-in ballots received after the close of polls, provided they
were post-marked before.
Change since last report:
Fixed election dates introduced. Elections must be held on the frst Monday in November
every 4 years. The next provincial election will be held on November 7, 2011.
Recommendations:
With fxed election dates, Saskatchewan now provides excellent access to voting rights for travellers.
AVAILABILITY OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
C
(2006: C)
Saskatchewan publishes a good pamphlet on issues related to health benefts for travellers entitled It’s For Your Beneft.
The pamphlet is fairly comprehensive and contains information about residency and prescription drugs. Within the
pamphlet a 1-800 number is listed for those who need more information. The pamphlet can be found on-line and is
also distributed through health ministry ofces. Despite having the best absentee voting rights in all of Canada, Sas-
katchewan does a very poor job of communicating their policies. Elections Saskatchewan’s website makes it difcult to
locate information on absentee voting although they do provide a copy of the absentee voting application that may be
downloaded. Contact telephone numbers are also not prominent on the home page and require some digging to fnd.
Change since last report:
While the information regarding absentee voting on Elections Saskatchewan’s website is
good, it is still extremely difcult to fnd.
Recommendations:
Create an easily-accessed page on the Elections Saskatchewan website dedicated to distance vot-
ing, and create visible links from various places in the website, including the home page.
2006 B-
Grade