'You're already winning': Sask. premier says province doesn't need a vaccine lottery
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says the province won’t be using additional incentives to entice residents to get their COVID-19 vaccine.
Moe was asked during the province’s COVID-19 update Tuesday if the government would hold a vaccine lottery or giveaway to encourage people to get the jab.
“In this part of the world, you're already winning by just getting vaccinated and having the opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Moe.
“We've already had nearly 700,000 very lucky winners in this province who went out and got their first shot. We did that without having a lottery and we still have plenty more vaccines left for anyone else that would make that choice.”
Alberta and Manitoba premiers have both announced vaccine lotteries aimed at boosting immunizations.
Manitoba will award nearly $2 million total in cash prizes and scholarships to vaccinated residents through multiple draws, while three $1-million prizes are up for grabs in Alberta.
Saskatchewan’s NDP has proposed a “Last Mile Lottery” to encourage vaccine uptake. The Opposition’s plan would include prizes like Saskatchewan Roughriders tickets, scholarships and a $25,000 lottery – which is about the cost admitting a COVID-19 patient into intensive care, according to the NDP.
Moe said the benefits of the shot should be enough incentive for residents to get their dose. According to the premier, 92 per cent of recent COVID-19 cases and 82 per cent of hospitalizations are people who are unvaccinated.
“You get to protect your family, your friends, your loved ones and everyone around you from this COVID virus,” said Moe. “If you like to gamble, then I would suggest you don't get your shot. The prize is not what you think it is.”
The province is currently focused on driving up first doses to hit its third vaccination target and reach the next step of reopening. The government and Saskatchewan Health Authority will host mobile clinics, walk-in and drive-thru clinics and school clinics throughout the province between June 16 and 21.
“Vaccines have never been more plentiful and never been more accessible in your community or close to you. Don't put it off any longer,” said Moe. “Let's go today, let's go this week and let's get our first shot.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.