Sask. premier says mostly maskless PPC rally in Saskatoon 'unfortunate'
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says “it’s unfortunate” that people who attended the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) election headquarters in Saskatoon flouted the province’s mask mandate.
On election night, photos and videos shared on social and news media showed a busy convention room at the Saskatoon Inn.
Of hundreds of people, only a handful appeared to be wearing masks as per Saskatchewan’s public health order. Among the maskless was leader Maxime Bernier.
In a statement to CTV News regarding the rally, police spokesperson Alyson Edwards said police support Public Health inspectors in the enforcement of public health orders.
“As it has done in the past in response to planned rallies during the pandemic, the SPS has taken a measured approach to ensure any event remains peaceful. This approach includes the gathering of intelligence regarding violations of the Public Health Order. That information will be forwarded to Public Health Inspectors for follow-up.”
A PPC spokesperson declined comment.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Moe said the PPC is a “one issue” anti-vaccination party, in the process attempting to prolong the COVID-19 pandemic and the Liberal government.
The province brought back a temporary indoor masking mandate last week, among other measures, in response to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said that since the rally was broadcast nationally, it undermined the efforts of the city and province to curb the spread of COVID-19 and ease the pressure on the health-care system.
While people may be frustrated about the lack of police presence, public health orders are enforced by public health inspectors, not police, he said.
“I know there’s people who wanted to see it broken up on the spot and the reality is, we do need that coordination at both levels and clarity on what the expectation of enforcement is,” he said.
Clark said he’s worried about the overloaded hospital and intensive care units in Saskatoon - and if the PPC gathering turns out to be a super-spreader event, “that is a grave concern.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pro-Palestinian protesters demand endowment transparency. But it's proving not to be simple
Over the last decade, students have pushed universities to cut financial ties with fossil fuel producers, weapons manufacturers, tobacco companies and prison firms. Here's why it's not always that simple.