MLA Buckley Belanger speaks during the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice. (Legislative Assembly)

By Derek Cornet

provincial response

MLA calls provincial response to COVID-19 in northern Sask. an ‘utter failure’

Jun 24, 2020 | 5:05 PM

Athasbasca NDP MLA Buckley Belanger has called the provincial government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Saskatchewan an “utter failure.” In response, the government said it had ensured funding went to equipment, training and accommodation.

He made the comment June 22 during the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice. Belanger accused the province of providing no leadership, adding much of the response fell on the shoulders of northern leaders, who did the best they could given the resources they had.

“Had it not been for the local leadership in these communities, we would have had an incredible crisis when it came to COVID-19 because the province was nowhere to be found,” he said.

Belanger mentioned northern chiefs and mayors moved quickly to deal with the public health emergency, noting an emergency measures declaration was established and command centres were put in place. He said leaders knew there was a significant health threat coming via media reports.

Belanger also talked about the lack of initial support when it came to locking down communities and restricting the sale of alcohol. He said northern leaders were forced to keep provincial highways open and they weren’t allowed to make changes to the way alcohol was sold.

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“In order to secure our communities, when we wanted to lockdown our communities, we were told we had no authority to do so, we can’t shut down highways through these municipalities and yet First Nations were doing that,” Belanger said. “Many of the municipal leaders said ‘We want to do that too’ but were told no.”

In response to the questions, Minister of Government Relation and First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Lori Carr said approximately $4 million was spent on the COVID-19 response in northern Saskatchewan. She said the funds went toward personal protective equipment, emergency operation centres, training, trailers for self-isolation, cleaning kits and cots.

Minister Lori Carr during the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice. (Legislative Assembly)

“There were housing units up there used for staffing and self-isolation and we furnished those, so people could actually use those units,” Carr replied. “That does not include the MEEP money the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District is going to be able to have to them to kickstart their economies after the fact and get projects on the go in the amount of $2.6 million, which is specifically for the NSAD.”

Carr also spoke about an additional $370,000 through the Northern Revenue Sharing Trust Account committed for check stops in northern Saskatchewan. A lump sum of $20,000 went directly to La Loche and $350,000 was administered through New North. So far, 11 communities have accessed $135,000 from the funds.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno