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REGINA — Saskatchewan’s health minister says he can’t pull the plug on a contract with an American company offering lab services in the province.
Jeremy Cockrill told the legislative assembly Thursday he will look at the deal with LifeLabs once it’s up for renewal but that patient care comes first.
“We’re in ongoing discussions with the current contractor, but at the end of the day … continuation of services is what we are looking forward to and prioritizing for patients,” he said.
The Opposition NDP questioned Premier Scott Moe’s Saskatchewan Party government about the deal, after the premier promised to look into procuring more Canadian supplies for public projects and services.
Moe made the pledge after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada and mused about annexing the country.
“The minister has known for 10 months that (LifeLabs) are an American-owned company. Will he stand by the promise to seek out providers at home? Or is he going to back a New Jersey-based company?” NDP Leader Carla Beck told the assembly.
Cockrill said the province is still reviewing procurement.
“In the health-care system, we procure services from many different companies across North America,” he said. “It goes to show how integrated supply chains are in many sectors, including health care.”
The province awarded LifeLabs a $60-million, seven-year contract in 2017 to offer diagnostic services. The province recently extended the deal for another year.
LifeLabs was owned by a Canadian public pension fund until Quest Diagnostics, an American company, acquired it in 2024.
The NDP also took issue with $28,000 in donations LifeLabs has made to the Saskatchewan Party since 2016. The figure is reported on Elections Saskatchewan’s website.
“I guess a Sask. Party-donating American multinational wins again,” NDP ethics critic Meara Conway told the assembly.
“When will this Sask. Party government stop prioritizing American companies that donate to them and start fighting for the people of this province?” she said.
Cockrill said the donations have not influenced government decisions.
Deputy premier Jim Reiter said the province needs to be cool-headed in how it reacts to Trump.
“The NDP want to pull the fire alarm. We’re trying to prevent the fire,” he told the assembly.
QuestDiagnostics did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Conway later told reporters it’s problematic that the province isn’t seriously considering awarding contracts to local companies.
She also said Saskatchewan should strengthen the public health system.
“We have public labs in Saskatchewan, (so) we can look at that,” she said.
“If all else fails, we should be looking at companies that are not propping up (Trump), a convicted felon and a man that is wreaking havoc on our economy and jobs.”
Cockrill said the province will look at all options once the contract is up.
“We’re all feeling frustrated with what President Trump is doing,” he said.
“(But) we can’t just pull the plug overnight and stop a service, just because it’s a company that might have U.S. operations.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 3, 2025.
Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
