Saskatchewan Rivers MLA resigns over vaccine status

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Saskatchewan Rivers MLA resigns over vaccine status

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Prince Albert Daily Herald

Former Sask. Party caucus member Nadine Wilson not only chose to wear a first vaccination status sticker, but verbally told people she was vaccinated when she was not.

Wilson, who is the MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers, has been a member of the Sask. Party caucus since 2007 and gave her resignation recently after being unable to provide documentation that she was indeed vaccinated.

Caucus chair David Buckingham said he asked all members of the caucus to show paper proof they had been vaccinated.

“That’s when we found out that one of our members was not, indeed, vaccinated. That had to be dealt with. That’s not acceptable,” said Buckingham.

In addition to public documentation of wearing a vaccination sticker when she was not, Wilson also told many other MLAs she was vaccinated.

“We are disappointed and frustrated at the news that Nadine Wilson has not been fully vaccinated, despite representing herself to be,” said NDP leader Ryan Meili in an emailed statement.  “MLA Wilson had portrayed herself to be fully vaccinated to many of our own members, putting them at risk due to her misleading assurances.”

Buckingham canvassed Sask. Party members this spring as to their vaccination status and received verbal confirmations that all were vaccinated but when he asked for written proof, Wilson’s deception was discovered.

“As we find our way to October 1, our caucus, just like much of the public service and many other private employers in the province are putting in place our verification process for proof of vaccination or proof of negative test,” said Premier Scott Moe. “In the past couple of days this has come to light with Ms. Wilson. Once we found out the information, we obviously wanted to go public.”

Other than Wilson, all members have provided documented proof of vaccination.

Starting October 1, all government employees, including MLAs who are employees of the Assembly, must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test every seven days.

“If she was going to continue to sit in the House at this time, the proof of vaccination or proof of negative test policy would be in effect in the Legislature like it is for any other provincial public service,” Moe said. 

Moe chose not to answer questions on how serious of an offence it was for Wilson to be wearing a first vaccination sticker when she has not received any vaccine.

“I would let Ms. Wilson comment specifically on wearing that sticker while potentially not being vaccinated at that point in time,” he said. “We wore those as a caucus  with verbal confirmation from our caucus chair that everyone was vaccinated or in the process of becoming fully vaccinated.”

Calls to Wilson’s MLA office were met with a full voice mailbox message, but an email surfaced the same day claiming that Wilson was choosing to sit as an independent member.

“I can no longer support the direction of the Saskatchewan Party government or follow the government with true conviction regarding the current health situation,” the email read. “The desire for a just and fair democratic province has helped shape my decision to leave and sit as an independent member.”

The email goes on to say that Wilson has taken time to listen to her constituents and reflect on her role as an elected official.

“I will continue to work for them to the best of my abilities. I believe in the fundamental values of freedom of personal choice, voluntary informed consent without the element of duress or coercion,” it read.

For the general public, starting on October 1, vaccination proof is required for those 12 and older in order to enter places such as restaurants, bars, events and indoor fitness centres.

Acceptable proof includes the QR code in digital or printed form that is on a person’s eHealth record or the wallet card given out at time of vaccination.

The vaccination is not considered full until two weeks after the second dose of either mRNA vaccines or the one dose Johnson and Johnson shot.

susan.mcneil@paherald.sk.ca

Wilson resigns after ‘misrepresenting’ vaccination status

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Wilson resigns after ‘misrepresenting’ vaccination status

Nadine Wilson, MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers, has resigned the province said in a news release on Sept. 30.

Premier Scott Moe said in the statement that “Wilson offered her resignation as a result of misrepresenting her vaccination status”.

Wilson has represented the riding since 2007.

The government said that it has confirmed that all remaining 47 Sask. Party MLAs are fully vaccinated.

Premier Scott Moe is scheduled to speak to the media about the decision at 12:30 p.m.

More to come.

City will spend $90,000 to change 15th St. East median

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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City will spend $90,000 to change 15th St. East median

Local Journalism Initiative

Despite warnings from staff that the decision would make the street more dangerous, council voted in favour of spending $90,000 to give businesses along 15 Street increased access from both lanes of traffic.

The newly completed median will have an access cut into it to allow traffic to drive into Dr. Java’s, and other nearby businesses from the north side of the street.

It was not a moved endorsed by Public Works or by two members of council.

“It’s going to be a very, very dangerous intersection, especially once we get the lines in,” said Mayor Greg Dionne, adding that the traffic will speed up once the lines are painted and that will increase the likelihood of collisions.

He and Councilor Tara Lennox-Zepp both opposed the motion to create the gap in the median while all other councilors supported, despite some misgivings.

“We created this problem by putting lights in at Fourth Avenue against the recommendation of our director,” said Councilor Dennis Ogrodnick. “We are to blame. It’s going to be dangerous and the Director has told us that. But we’ve got to get it right.”

The Public Work’s agenda item specified that what council is proposing to do does not follow Transportation Association of Canada guidelines and will mean more potential conflict points for traffic.

Representatives from multiple businesses that say their revenues have fallen since the road was changed in August were at the meeting and had written letters.

Chad and Brandy Mogg spoke for the third time since first finding the access reduced to Dr. Java’s and took issue with a previous comment by Dionne that the City should monitor the stretch of road for six months before making more changes.

“We have continued to see the same decrease in business,” said Brandy Mogg. “How would the city operate if it saw a 35 per cent reduction in revenue?”

Tom McKay, owner of The Great Canadian Oil Change, said he has seen a reduction of 20 per cent in revenue since the new median was completed.

He said that his business along with Dr. Java’s and the Shell gas station all rely on impulse buyers and having the median eliminates 50 per cent of the potential driving traffic.

That was the same refrain heard from Diane Lavoie, who owns Our Little Secret Boutique along with a partnership in Truck Outfitters.

“My business is down 38 per cent. Truck Outfitters is down 42.8 per cent. For locally owned businesses, that is a lot,” she said.

“It does not matter how many cars are on 15th Street or how many cars Peavey Mart will bring. If they cannot access our businesses in a convenient way, they will not access us at all,” Lavoie stated.

Coun. Blake Edwards was in favour of having the new access, but said it should be done in a way that heavy trucks could still access the group of businesses as needed.

Access was available behind the Great Canadian Oil Change at the start of construction. Edwards said he hoped that would remain, but it is on private property.

“The intent originally was to remove that. It would be up to those two private businesses if they want to keep that,” said Wes Hicks, Director of Public Works.

Council, with the opposition of Dionne and Lennox-Zepp, passed the motion to have the median installed and asked staff to have the project done this year.

They also voted to install a U-turn sign in front of Exclusive Auto Marine and that the City start discussions with the rail company with an eye to potentially building a road to gain access to Fourth Avenue. 

“The long or medium-term solution is taking a look at the privately owned land directly to the west of the oil change business and see what we can do,” said Ted Zurakowski. “We start the conversation about getting access at some point in the future. I think this is the start of getting it right, but it’s not the end.”

Staff were directed to make sure the changes are done this fall, something that is possible but council did not allow staff to say exactly how they would balance the new project with two others still to be completed.

“Hearing from council on the need to get this completed this season, we would do what it takes to have it completed, which may result in other projects being unable to be completed,” said Nykol Miller, Capital Projects Manager for the city. “There are some that have open roadways and we have been instructed in previous years to always ensure that roadways are completely paved before winter.”

susan.mcneil@paherald.sk.ca

Orange crosswalks for remembrance

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Orange crosswalks for remembrance

Drivers in downtown Prince Albert will notice something different when they get to the corner of Central Ave. and 13th Street; the crosswalks have orange paint where it used to be white.

The change is part of an effort by the First Nations University of Canada Student Association to increase awareness and the discussion around residential schools in advance of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

“It was important to get that visual presentation, so that people know that our school is here and the work we do in the community,” said Krysta Hatfield, president of the association for the Northern Campus.

She along with a group of volunteers took some time the afternoon of Sept. 27 to apply the orange paint, following a blessing from an elder and a smudge ceremony.

The number of crosswalks that were painted was less than she had hoped for, however.

When setting out to amplify the conversation around residential schools and the need for remembrance, Hatfield was surprised by the red tape she encountered at City Hall.

She first approached the City in August to get permission to have the crosswalks painted, and felt the process was both cumbersome and unwelcoming.

Their initial idea was to springboard off the concept the Pride movement does but to use an Every Child Matters stencil instead.

“We would love to do that for Every Child Matters. We want to paint the crosswalks orange, how do we do that, what paint? Do we need a permit? Please let us know,” she explained.

The initial response was unhelpful, she said. The department asked for details about where and what type of paint they planned to use and that was it.

“So we went to the community and did some research to figure out how do you do this? We were on our own,” Hatfield said.

After they got the information they needed, they asked to be able to paint the intersections at 14th and Central and 13th and Central. They also wanted to paint a crosswalk in front of a school or in front of City Hall.

They were only given permission to paint the white lines orange and not fill in the gap as the Pride flags are done.

Hatfield was surprised at the lack of direction provided by department and instead approached a councilor, who helped her get on the agenda as a delegation on the Sept. 27 regular council meeting.

Even that process was not as simple as she thought it would be but Hatfield spoke to council about her concerns, primarily around the process. She suggested that it would be good to make the process clearer by having links on the city website.

“I realize there is not time for me to paint anywhere else in the city and that is a great dis-service,” she said. “The point that I’m speaking to here today is I would like to create a renewed relationship with the City of Prince Albert and council.”

She asked for help to create an elders council so that future conversations could include the University along with other organizations.

“I would like to carry on the conversation after this meeting so that we can have your guidance to be stronger leaders and create a relationship together,” said Hatfield.

Council said normally such requests are made in May—as the request to paint for Pride was done—and that using the white colour is done for consistency across Canada to improve safety

“We’ve gone to a new style paint, it’s a rubber paint and I don’t want to damage those crosswalks,” said Mayor Greg Dionne.

Councillor Dawn Kilmer said she has gone through the process herself before she was on council.

“I will admit that part of what drew me to council was working on communication and process,” she said.

“We ran into exactly the same thing. Short timing,” she said. “We then had to wait a year. We learned and worked with the City. Now it happens seamlessly.”

A motion to have staff work with the organization for future requests was seconded by Coun. Terra Lennox-Zepp, allowing and welcoming the student association to paint the cross walk at 11th Street and Central Avenue for Orange Shirt Day in a form acceptable to the Public Works Department.

The motion passed, with only Dionne and Coun. Don Cody opposed.

Black Angus bulls seized in cattle purchase fraud case

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Black Angus bulls seized in cattle purchase fraud case

Two pure bred Black Angus bulls found near Spiritwood have been seized as part of an investigation into fraudulent cattle purchases connected to Alberta.

On Sept. 2, the Alberta RCMP Livestock Investigation Unit, assisted by Livestock Services of Saskatchewan, executed a search warrant and seized the two bulls.

They also found evidence of other instances of fraud, which led them to a subsequent search and recovery of cattle in both Thorsby, Alberta and Lloydminster.

Police allege the same two suspects, Shane and Shanon Hoff, were responsible for those instances of fraudulent purchase as well.

The investigation started on August 19, 2021 when the Alberta police received a report about a purchase in Tofield, Alberta.

Investigators determined the suspects had allegedly bought the cattle with a fraudulent cheque and transported the cattle out of province without brand inspection. 

Livestock Services of Saskatchewan were called to assist and a location was identified where the cattle were believed to be grazing near Spiritwood.

A total of 19 animals were seized in all three communities and identified through registered livestock brands and/or registered pure bred tattoos.

Shane and Shanon Hoff, both of Two Hills, Alta., have both been charged with Fraud Over $5,000 and are scheduled to appear in Vegreville Provincial Court on Oct. 18, 2021.

Alberta RCMP Livestock Investigation Unit investigators encourage all livestock owners to brand their cattle and horses as this is the primary means of ownership identification and in most cases, relied upon for successful prosecution.   

It is notable that Shane and Shanon Hoff are believed to have been involved in similar business transactions. 

As such, the RCMP are asking anyone with information about similar incidents is asked to contact the Alberta RCMP Livestock Investigations Unit at 403-598-6991, or your local police. 

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

First degree murder charge after Choiceland death

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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First degree murder charge after Choiceland death

A male youth has been charged with one count of first degree murder in connection with the death of a woman in Choiceland last week.

The male youth, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, made their first court appearance via telephone on Sept. 27 in Melfort.

On Sept. 24, a 37-year-old woman was found dead in a residence on Railway Ave. in the community at about 1:45 am.

The youth was arrested and taken into custody at the scene and police say there was no concern for public safety.

Man in hospital after assault on 14 St.

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Man in hospital after assault on 14 St.

Both ambulance and police were called to an assault on Sunday which saw a 31-year-old man taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Prince Albert Police say that on Sept 26 at approximately 8:15 p.m., officers along with Parkland Ambulance were called to the area of 1100 Block of 14th Street West for a report of an assault.

After finding the wounded man, he was taken to the Victoria Hospital and then transported to the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where he remains in serious condition.

 Members with the Criminal Investigations Division and Forensic Identification Section of the Prince Albert Police Service continue to investigate. A section of the 1100 Block of 14 Street West remains closed to the public.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 306-953-4222 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

COVID deaths hit 77 in North Central

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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COVID deaths hit 77 in North Central

With two more deaths over the weekend, 77 North Central residents have now died after contracting the COVID-19 virus.

The province reported the 77th death on Sept. 26, along with 38 new active cases in the region.

North Central 2, which is primarily the City of Prince Albert, has the highest active caseload of the  three sub-districts with 240 cases, 18 of which were added in the last 24 hours.

North Central 1 (Christopher and Candle Lake and surrounding communities) had 10 new cases for a total of 172 active cases

North Central 3 also saw 10 new cases and has 79 active infections in the area.

The rolling seven day average of new cases has dropped down to 41 and total cases since the start of the pandemic are 6,639 (491 are active).

Of the active cases, 36 people are in hospital with seven of those ill enough to require intensive care.

Another 286 vaccines were given out with 126 new people now fully immunized.

So far, 105,506 doses of vaccine have been administered in the North Central zone.

Province-wide highlights

As of September 26, there are 552 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 65,501 reported cases.

The new cases are located in the Far North West (21), Far North East (19), North West (77), North Central (38), North East (16), Saskatoon (124), Central West (17), Central East (36), Regina (64), South West (33), South Central (36) and South East (36) zones, and thirty-five (35) new cases have pending residence information.

Thirty (30) cases with pending residence information were assigned to the Far North West (from September 24 (2)), Far North East (from September 24 (1)), North West (from September 21 (1), September 24 (3)), North Central (from September 23 (2), September 24 (6)), Saskatoon (from September 24 (2)), Regina (from September 22 (1), September 23 (3) September 24 (4)), South West (from September 20 (1), September 24 (1)), South Central (from September 20 (1)), and South East (from September 16 (1), September 23 (1)) zones.

One (1) SK resident tested out-of-province was added to the Saskatoon (from September 24 (1)) case count.

One (1) SK resident was deemed to be a non-SK resident and removed from the Central East (from September 24 (1)) case count.

65,501 cases are confirmed.

15,796 cases are from the North area (6,743 North West, 6,639 North Central, 2,414 North East).

15,781 cases are from the Saskatoon area

13,408 cases are from the Regina area

8,028 cases are from the Far North area (3,756 Far North West, 531 Far North Central, 3,741 Far North East)

7,692 cases are from the South area (1,652 South West, 2,429 South Central, 3,611 South East)

4,284 cases are from the Central area (1,192 Central West, 3,092 Central East)

512 cases have pending residence information

4,864 cases are considered active and 59,967 cases are considered recovered.

More than one-quarter (27.5%) of new cases are in the age category of 20 to 39 years.

One in five (19.8%) of new cases eligible for vaccination (aged 12 years and older) were fully vaccinated.

As of September 26th, a total of 281 individuals are hospitalized; including 218 inpatient hospitalizations and 63 ICU hospitalizations. Of the 281 patients, 222 (79.0%) were not fully vaccinated.

Three (3) new deaths reported today. 670 Saskatchewan residents with COVID-19 have died with a case fatality rate of 1.0%.

1,118,042 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of September 23rd, when other provincial and national numbers are available from PHAC, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 937,394 tests performed per million population. The national rate was 1,123,656 tests performed per million population.

The 7-day average of new COVID-19 case numbers was 478 (39.7 new cases per 100,000).

Five more cases at Prince Albert Catholic Schools

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Five more cases at Prince Albert Catholic Schools

Five more cases of COVId-19 have been identified in four Prince Albert Catholic Schools, the division confirmed on Sept. 25.

The four schools include École St. Anne School, St. John School, St Michael School and École Holy Cross.

The Catholic School Division says it is committed to keeping the larger community informed about all positive case and exposures at any of its seven schools.

“With the rise in case rates and state of vaccination rates in our province and our community, the School Division encourages all families to consider all the layers of protection,” said the Divison in a news release.  “Students under 12 are not eligible for vaccination; therefore, our community needs to do what it can to protect our youth. Using many layers of protection is safe and effective.”

Each classroom or cohort specifically affected has been informed and no further details will be shared.

All schools will continue to operate in-person classes while maintaining current safety protocols. Additionally, the students and families will be receiving updates using the Edsby platform.

While the Catholic division regularly informs media of COVID cases and exposures, public divisions are not.

However, cases connected to schools are listed on the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s website and there have been multiple cases in Prince Albert public schools since the start of this schools year.

Carlton Comprehensive High School has had nine cases, Prince Albert Collegiate has had one, Vincent Massey Schools has had three, École Arthur Pechey has had two connected to a bus and three in the school, and W.J. Berezowsky, Queen Mary and John Diefenbaker all have had one each.

COVID-19 and its’ variants are present in the community and Saskatchewan, and people are encouraged everyone to protect themselves and youth.

Consider all the layers of protection such as performing daily health screening, staying home if ill, calling HealthLine 811 if exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, practicing proper hand hygiene, maintaining physical distancing, and wearing a mask when appropriate. Vaccination clinic dates and times are available in the community via pharmacies and Public Health clinics.

Drive-thru testing is available at the Cone Shop (9th St and 6th Ave E Prince Albert), open 7 days a week – 8:30 am – 4 pm. If you are not able to use the drive-thru testing site, call 811 for other testing options.

Every hoop has a story

Susan McNeil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Every hoop has a story

There is more than meets the eye when watching a hoop dancer perform, as the audience found out recently while watching a Lawrence Roy Jr. at Carlton High School.

Lawrence Roy Jr. is both a dancer and story teller and told his audience during Tapestrama (one of multiple Culture Days events) that every hoop represents a story, down to the circular shape of the hoop.

“We talk about the circle as something we can learn from,” said Roy, who performed the afternoon of Sept. 25.

When hoop dancing was first created in New Mexico, the dancer used one hoop. Roy was using 30 hoops.

“A hoop was added for each story that was told. The circle is all the different things we have to do in our life,” he said. That circle could be a hawk eating its prey or a buffalo eating grass in the circle of life.

He invited the audience to apply their own interpretation of parts of his dance, whether picturing an eagle, a hawk, a crow or a chickadee.

The metaphor is also included in the round dance, and Roy explained that years ago, learning to dace in Saskatoon, he started with five hoops and the other students in the class were from a variety of cultures, including Ukrainian, Italian, Chinese and Metis learners.

There was also a deaf girl in the class who used the vibration of the drums to keep the beat while she danced.

The round dance is round for a reason, Roy said.

“Nobody was left behind and no one was ahead of us,” he stated. The red and yellow colours on his hoops also have meaning, representing the east and west directions.

“It’s all about balance,” said Roy, “and sunrise is the best time to pray. The sun is pure when it comes up.”

Roy’s hoops were turned into shapes, many being wing-like as he danced, but the conclusion was forming a ball of hoops.

“The ball represents Earth,” Roy explained. “Everything in this earth is all connected so we need to look after our earth. One thing we all have in common is a heartbeat so share your heart, be kind and love one another.”

Tapestrama continues until 7:00 pm on Sept. 26 at Carlton High School. Culture Days continue until the end of October, with the last even in Prince Albert on Oct. 23.
Detailed information is available at https://culturedays.ca/en/sk and then by searching Prince Albert.

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