Cross memorial honours lives lost to COVID-19, demands government accountability
A memorial display created by a community member in Regina honours the lives lost to COVID-19 and demands accountability from the provincial government.
Clinton Ackerman installed 127 crosses on the northwest lawn of the Legislative Building to represent those who died of COVId-19 between July 11 and Oct. 1, 2021. A letter to Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was hung on a few of the crosses.
Ackerman explained in the letterthat his memorial serves two purposes - the first,to honour the lives lost.
“They were people with families, friends, and loved ones, whose loss will be felt for years and generations to come. They are not a number, nor are they ‘the unvaccinated’, they are missed, loved, and cherished,” the letter reads.
“The second purpose is to remind you, Scott Moe, of the cost of your ignorance and inability to lead our province in service of the people who live here. The loss represented here was preventable.”
The letter demands an apology from the premier and the replacement of Paul Merriman as minister of health.
In a statement to CTV News, the Government of Saskatchewan offered condolences to those who have lost someone to COVID-19 but did not acknowledge the display or the letter to the premier.
“This is why it is critical that all eligible Saskatchewan residents get vaccinated,” the province said in an email.
“Getting vaccinated is also about protecting those around you who may be vulnerable, such as people with underlying health conditions and children under 12 who are too young to be vaccinated.”
In Saskatchewan, there are 335 COVID-19 patients in hospital, including 85 in the ICU – breaking the record of 84 patients set Sunday.
Of the 335 patients, 254 – 76 per cent – were not fully vaccinated.
Premier Scott Moe confirmed Monday morning the province will send six ICU patients to Ontario and request staffing assistance from the federal government.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.