Restrictions lifted: What day one without public health orders looked like in Saskatoon
In Saskatoon on Sunday, it felt more like a normal summer day as individuals took advantage of the sunshine and the end to all provincial health orders.
Sports on Tap in Praireland Park held a couple of events, the first of which was a beach volleyball tournament.
“It does feel very normal, very strange because yesterday we had the masks, and now we don’t. It’s amazing, just back to normal,” Francine Puech, one of the tournaments participants told CTV News.
Puech said it was a great day to be enjoying the first mask-free day in over a year, but that doesn’t mean she will be leaving it at home.
“I definitely have one on me just in case. I’m not 100 per cent comfortable yet, but to each their own,” Puech said.
Inside Sports on Tap, a healthy crowd enjoyed no restrictions as dozens showed up to watch the UEFA Euro Cup final between England and Italy, hosted by Living Skies Sports and Entertainment, the company looking to bring a Canadian Premier League team to Saskatoon.
“The stars have aligned. It’s a really good thing for the soccer match today, for Prairieland Park, and for everybody in Saskatchewan,” Alan Simpson, president and CEO of Living Skies said moments before England scored the first goal of the game.
Simpson said more than 80 people registered for the event but more showed up during the match, something that would not have been possible just a day before.
Euro Cup fans were also out in full force at Winston’s English Pub, cheering their team on, hoping for a cup win after 55 years without, only to see Italy take the prize in penalty kicks.
“It’s massive, we haven’t won a trophy, a big trophy since 66’. For England, this is a big day,” Ryan Turvey told CTV before the match.
Backyard concert
Ken Gryschuk decided July 11 was the day to hold an outdoor concert featuring local Celtic band Back of the Bus, saying goodbye to masks and gathering limits.
“It’s July 11th, it's Saskatchewan freedom day, no restrictions. So we have friends, family, and neighbours down in our backyard for a concert with Back of the Bus,” Gryschuk told CTV News.
“With no masks’ it’s going to be so much fun, it’s a beautiful day.”
Gryschuk said he has had Back of the Bus play for him before, but he figured not only would it make for a great “freedom day” party, but he also wanted to show some support to local musicians.
“Local artist have been really been hurting over the last year. Everybody should do something this summer. Get somebody into your backyard and hold a party,” Gryschuk said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks beat Oilers 5-4 in comeback to take Game 1
The Vancouver Canucks won the first game of their NHL playoffs series with the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Wednesday night coming back from a three-goal deficit.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.