Phone call between Sask. premier, group opposing COVID-19 policies raises questions
Questions were raised at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building on Monday about a phone call between Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and an organization that opposes the province’s COVID-19 health measures.
In an emailed statement, the premier’s office confirmed he spoke on the phone with Nadine Ness, the president of “Unified Grassroots” over the weekend.
“Throughout the pandemic, the Premier, Ministers and government MLAs have spoken with many residents of the province who have concerns and questions about the government’s response and actions,” the statement reads.
“Some think the public health measures have gone too far while other believe they have not gone far enough.”
NDP opposition leader Ryan Meili said the meeting was a “strange thing for the premier to do.”
“When we’ve had patients and healthcare workers coming into this house, he hasn’t met with them, he’s often turned his back on them when we’re asking questions or introducing them,” Meili said Monday.
“Then when you get this radical extremist group, a group that’s been promoting anti-vaccine messages, suddenly he drops everything and has loads of time for them.”
Unified Grassroots describes itself as “an action oriented group that aims to create an open and compassionate space for people to gather and support each other” on its website.
The organization was involved in a court challenge earlier this year that contested the province’s proof of vaccination policy, which failed.
Ness requested a meeting with the premier in a video posted to YouTube on Nov. 27.
“I’ve tried to get a hold of Scott Moe, I’ve called their MLAs several times,” Ness said in the video. “No one seemed to listen to our concerns. They seem to have their own way of doing things and they’re not open to listening and representing the people of Saskatchewan.”
In a second video, posted on Dec. 4, Ness said she received a call from Moe. She said they spoke for “quite a long period of time” and described the call as a “good productive talk.”
The premier’s office said the premier spent the weekend returning calls to residents on “both sides” of the public health measures debate.
“This was one such call,” the statement said. “Many have called on the government to combat misinformation around vaccinations, and significant efforts have been undertaken including public campaigns and individual conversations.”
“This is the problem. This is a premier who has continually pandered to extremists, pandered to those who are against vaccines, against public health measures, and that’s how we wound up with the worst fourth wave in the country,” Meili said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.