Alanna Ross of the Saskatchewan Party and NDP incumbent Nicole Rancourt are contesting the Prince Albert Northcote riding. (submitted photos)

By Glenn Hicks

provincial election

Schools restart dominates local campaigning

Aug 10, 2020 | 3:51 PM

This story was updated following the release Monday afternoon by the government of illness in care procedures within schools..

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With 10 weeks to go to the provincial election, the incumbent MLA in the Prince Albert Northcote riding – New Democrat Nicole Rancourt — says holding the government to account for their response and actions regarding COVID-19 is a key part of the campaign.

The government’s back to school plan has come in for fierce criticism from the opposition and during public protests. Meanwhile, Rancourt’s challenger – the Saskatchewan Party’s Alanna Ross – says she’s confident in the process around getting schools ready to reopen.

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Rancourt said she was hearing on the doorsteps that the public wants a much clearer plan on the wearing of face masks in schools and how to manage any outbreaks once things get underway Sept. 1. But, she’s also critical of the decisions the government was making pre-COVID and what her party sees as a lack of funding that has now added further stress to the situation.

“The government needs to look at ways to reduce classroom sizes and to make sure there’s extra staff available,” she told paNOW. “There needs to be more opportunities for custodial duties. What happens when someone in the education system gets sick; [the government] doesn’t have a plan on how they’re going to manage any outbreak.”

The government’s plan does not currently include mandatory face masks or reduced class sizes but, under the advice of the chief medical health officer, includes potential escalating scenarios that could result in mask usage and reduced school capacity. Two million dollars has been spent on procuring six million disposable masks.

Rancourt said she was fine with local school districts being given the freedom to manage social distancing and student safety protocols but the government had failed to give them the additional resources and the guidelines “to make these tough decisions.”

Prince Albert’s school districts told paNOW it was important they were able to manage the situation on a local school-by-school basis.

Confidence in process

The woman hoping to unseat Rancourt from the riding is the Saskatchewan Party’s Alanna Ross. Asked what she made of the protests regarding the government’s back to school plans she said everyone had the right to protest. She added she feels very confident in the consultative process that has taken place with the local organizations in bringing forth the plan for the schools opening.

“Having a safe school opening is very important to everyone… I’m confident in this process and the right decisions will be made,” she said.

Government releases illness plan

The Government of Saskatchewan announced Monday afternoon local administrative procedures have been developed for students exhibiting signs and symptoms https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/about-covid-19#symptoms consistent with COVID-19 under the Saskatchewan Safe Schools Plan.

The media release also said, in part, all schools must identify a designated isolation area for any student or staff presenting COVID-19 symptoms who are not able to immediately leave their school facility. If a student is exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at school, the students’ teacher must notify the designated school official to accompany the student from the classroom to the school’s pre-identified isolation space. The full illness in care plan can be seen here.

Ross and Rancourt talk campaigning

As for campaigning during the restrictions amid the pandemic, Ross didn’t seem too fazed by having to wear a mask while trying to make her face widely recognizable as she goes door-to-door.

“Well my face is very distinctive from the eyes up… I have very distinctive glasses… and we can remove the mask if people request that as long as we’re social distancing,” she said.

Asked what her key message was as she appealed for votes ahead of the Oct. 26 election Ross said her 30 years in health care (she’s a registered nurse by trade) gave her a thorough understanding of what modern community health means.

“Part of my job is to listen and I think that does give me some strength to listen and hear what the constituents are saying,” she said.

Rancourt meanwhile acknowledges campaigning has become very different but she hasn’t noticed a decrease in engagement from the public.

“They’re happy to see us and talk about the issues and they’re very anxious to see this election come and are ready for a new government,” she said.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow