Regina vs. Saskatoon: Mayor proposes vaccine challenge as province strives for 3rd reopening step
The mayor of Regina has challenged her Saskatoon counterpart to a vaccination competition.
On Wednesday evening, Regina Mayor Sandra Masters took to social media to lay down the gauntlet on Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark with a vaccination challenge.
"Absolutely I’d be willing to embarrass myself to get people vaccinated," Masters said on Thursday. "I won’t have to if Regina wins and so we’re hoping individuals who have not yet received their first dose are able to get to a clinic."
Masters said the Saskatchewan Health Authority approached the mayors with a vaccine challange in mind.
"We’re always happy to have a good rivalry with Regina and this is around a really important issue," Clark added.
The city that records the highest number of first vaccinations, per capita, from June 17 to June 30 will win, and the losing mayor will give an on-camera lip-sync performance of a song selected by the winning city.
Masters said she’s seen some good suggestions so far.
"Based upon the pictures I’m getting from clinics this morning, it’s working and we need it to keep working," she said.
Clark had a very Saskatoon suggestion for Masters’ performance if the Bridge City pulls off the win.
"Running Back to Saskatoon is one that I would enjoy hearing her sing," he said. "We want to give people a chance to weigh in and give their opinions, but that would be a pretty good one."
Residents can submit their song suggestions by messaging either mayor on social media with a photo of their "Stick It to COVID" sticker.
Step three of Saskatchewan’s reopening roadmap is activated once 70 per cent of residents 18-and-over have received a first vaccine dose.
In recent weeks, the number of first doses being administered in the province has slowed.
Saskatchewan has averaged about 2,200 first doses per day over the past week, compared to 8,700 second doses.
The province needs to administer slightly more than 7,500 more first doses to reach the reopen threshold. There are more than 25,000 more doses needed to remove the mandatory mask mandate and restrictions on large gatherings.
"With the slowdown now, we really need people to just get out there make that appointment," Clark said. "If you know people who haven’t been vaccinated yet, make sure you help them, get them lined up with an appointment or get to a drive thru and get that shot."
As part of the push to get more people vaccinated, Masters said the City of Regina is offering free bus rides to anyone going to a first dose clinic or showing their vaccination sticker.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
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.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.