Saskatchewan Faces Shortage of Medical Radiation Technologists

Saskatchewan is confronting a significant shortage of medical radiation technologists (MRTs), which is impacting the province’s ability to provide timely mammogram screenings. As demand for these services increases, advocates stress that recruiting more MRTs is crucial for reducing wait times for women seeking mammograms. The situation has garnered particular attention as the Ministry of Health implements a phased approach to lower the age qualification for mammogram bookings without a doctor’s referral from 50 to 40. Currently, women aged 43 and older are eligible, with plans to extend this to age 40 by June 2025.

Since January 2024, the Ministry has created nine full-time MRT positions outside the major urban centres of Saskatoon and Regina. These include two positions each in Moose Jaw and Weyburn, as well as additional roles in North Battleford, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, and Yorkton. However, four of these positions remain unfilled, prompting ongoing recruitment efforts in North Battleford, Moose Jaw, and Weyburn.

In an exclusive interview with CBC Saskatchewan on January 16, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill emphasized the importance of these incentives for improving access to breast health services. “The more patients that we can keep in regional centres without needing to come to Regina or Saskatoon, obviously there’s the travel and inconvenience piece too, but having care as close to home as possible is so important for people,” he stated.

Despite these efforts, the province faces challenges with seven vacant part-time MRT positions located within Regina, Saskatoon, and the mobile mammogram unit.

High tuition costs at Saskatchewan Polytechnic are a significant barrier to recruitment. Dr. Dennis Kendel, a retired physician and health policy consultant, highlighted that the costs can deter potential students. He noted that the full MRT program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic costs approximately $33,660, the highest among comparable programs in western Canada. In contrast, the tuition for RRC Polytech in Manitoba is less than half that amount.

As of 2025, 27 students graduated from the MRT program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, with 40 expected in 2026 and 50 set to graduate in 2027. The program currently has 90 seats, most of which are filled.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 5430 president, Bashir Jalloh, expressed dissatisfaction with the recruitment progress made by the Ministry. “It is terrible… because instead of them trying to recruit for those positions, they are opting to contract it out to contract workers,” he said. Jalloh argued that the ministry should encourage Saskatchewan Polytechnic to expand its MRT training capacity, as many newly qualified MRTs are reluctant to work in rural communities due to lower wages and limited career opportunities.

Jalloh pointed out that starting salaries for MRTs in Saskatchewan fail to compete with those in neighbouring provinces, leading to a loss of talent. “An MRT who is entering today in Manitoba has a starting wage higher than my maximum after working [in Saskatchewan] for 20 years,” he stated. Many graduates leave the province to work in regions where they can earn higher wages, especially as they face significant student loan debt.

The Ministry of Health is also working to reduce wait times for mammogram screenings and biopsies. According to the ministry, the wait list for breast biopsies in Regina dropped dramatically from over 300 patients in 2025 to just 51 as of January 2, 2026. Cockrill highlighted that improved staffing has contributed to this reduction, making it easier for women to access crucial health services.

As Saskatchewan continues to navigate these challenges, Jalloh emphasized the urgent need for improved working conditions and retention strategies. He suggested that the Ministry should consider providing stipends for MRTs during their practicums, which would encourage graduates to commit to working in rural areas.

With the ongoing adjustments to mammography age qualifications and the pressing demand for screenings, the province’s ability to effectively recruit and retain MRTs will be pivotal in ensuring that women have timely access to necessary health services.