This checkpoint began Monday near Green Lake. (Northern Village of Green Lake/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

checkpoints

Tri-community leaders concerned with lack of consultation about northern lockdown

Apr 27, 2020 | 5:06 PM

Tri-community leaders believe there was a lack of consultation when the provincial government decided to lockdown northern Saskatchewan last week.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said she was on a conference call with Prince Albert Grand Council chiefs and the province when the announcement was made Friday. The new public order restricts all non-critical travel in or out of the North Administrative District in an effort to limit the transmission of COVID-19.

“We had a lot of questions they couldn’t answer, but while we were in the meeting with PAGC chiefs, the premier was already making the announcement on road restrictions going into the North,” Cook-Searson said. “I wouldn’t call that consultation when there’s already an announcement being made and you’re being asked to support.”

Some of the questions the chiefs had included where the check stop locations would be, who would enforce it, and what authority would they have. Chiefs also wanted to know if there would be screening of essential workers at the checkpoints, what identification would be required to cross, and if vehicles would be searched for alcohol and illegal substances.

Cook-Searson went for a ride north and south of La Ronge on Saturday, but noted there were no checkpoints in place at that time. With tourism and fishing season quickly approaching, which is a vital industry in the region, Cook-Searson mentioned the safety and health of community members must come first.

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“I think the main priority right now is keeping our community members safe from COVID-19,” she said. “It is a serious health threat with the outbreak in La Loche right now. It could come into our communities at any time.”

Air Ronge Mayor Gordon Stomp explained the provincial government contacted him two days before the restrictions were put in place. He told officials he was in favour of some road restrictions, but not without further discussions and consultation.

“I was surprised about that announcement with no further consultation or understanding of the specific regions these would be enforced,” Stomp said. “We want to support whoever we can generally, but there certainly is a different situation in the central area and the east area. There are no cases here in La Ronge, and to put restrictions on people moving in and out of here would be not thinking about the ramifications first of all.”

La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich was also contacted by the government and he said he made it known he was against the idea of checkpoints. About 20 minutes after the phone call, he added he was contacted again just to let him know the province was moving ahead with the new public health order.

“The day before or two days before they made a big announcement that the fishing season would open and everyone could go fishing,” Woytowich said. “By doing that lockdown, they were shutting down the North for fishing and camps and everything that goes with it.”

Woytowich also stressed the importance of non-residents who are northerners having access to La Ronge. For those living in the surrounding communities, he said it’s important they continue to have access to drug stores, grocery stores, the courthouse, hospital and other essential services.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno