Dr. Graham Clarkson publishes a report on his visit to the Valley View Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and argues the facility is becoming obsolete

1974. Former deputy minister of health for Saskatchewan, Dr. Graham Clarkson, submits a 164-page report from his visits to Valley View Centre the previous year. In the report Clarkson detailed the shortfalls including overcrowding, staff shortages and lack of training. This is a step towards more inclusive communities for the mentally handicapped, and away from more eugenic segregation.

The Valley View Centre used to be the Saskatchewan Training School, but was renamed in 1973, when the government moved towards community-based care for the mentally handicapped (Wickham, n.d.), and away from institutionalization. The school was originally opened in 1955, with the goal of teaching more capable mentally handicapped people essential skills that would allow them independence in the larger community.

In accordance with this change in focus towards community-based care, Clarkson's report ultimately suggests that the Valley View facility is becoming obsolete, as it is separate from the larger community. In any case, the centre is not considered suitable for the mentally handicapped (Wickham, n.d.).

-Leslie Baker

  • Wickham, B. (2012). Valley View Centre Moose Jaw. Report prepared for the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.

  • Wickham, B. (n.d.). Timeline of Significance for the Saskatchewan Training School (Valley View). Retrieved from: http://www.pcs.gov.sk.ca/VVCTimeline

Dr. Graham Clarkson publishes a report on his visit to the Valley View Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and argues the facility is becoming obsolete

1974. Former deputy minister of health for Saskatchewan, Dr. Graham Clarkson, submits a 164-page report from his visits to Valley View Centre the previous year. In the report Clarkson detailed the shortfalls including overcrowding, staff shortages and lack of training. This is a step towards more inclusive communities for the mentally handicapped, and away from more eugenic segregation.

The Valley View Centre used to be the Saskatchewan Training School, but was renamed in 1973, when the government moved towards community-based care for the mentally handicapped (Wickham, n.d.), and away from institutionalization. The school was originally opened in 1955, with the goal of teaching more capable mentally handicapped people essential skills that would allow them independence in the larger community.

In accordance with this change in focus towards community-based care, Clarkson's report ultimately suggests that the Valley View facility is becoming obsolete, as it is separate from the larger community. In any case, the centre is not considered suitable for the mentally handicapped (Wickham, n.d.).

-Leslie Baker

  • Wickham, B. (2012). Valley View Centre Moose Jaw. Report prepared for the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.

  • Wickham, B. (n.d.). Timeline of Significance for the Saskatchewan Training School (Valley View). Retrieved from: http://www.pcs.gov.sk.ca/VVCTimeline