Moe slams attack on Saskatchewan's top doctor
REGINA • Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has posted a speech by one of his cabinet ministers that pays tribute to the province's chief medical health officer, following comments at an anti-mask rally that Moe says were racist.
Moe wrote on Twitter that one of the speakers at Saturday's rally at the legislature in Regina made comments that were “beneath contempt” that included “racist comments” about Dr. Saqib Shahab.
The premier also attached a video of a speech that Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter delivered in the legislature recently that thanks Shahab for helping navigate Saskatchewan through one of the most difficult times in the province's history.
Moe noted that Reiter, who was his health minister until a cabinet shuffle last month, worked with Shahab for many years.
Police in Regina say a man and a woman who they identified as organizers of Saturday's rally were ticketed and fined $2,800 each for contravention of public health orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, outdoor public and private gatherings in Saskatchewan with more than 30 people are prohibited.
“I believe that Minister Reiter's statement reflected the views and thanks of the vast majority of Saskatchewan people, including me. I hope you will watch and share this statement instead,” Moe posted on Twitter on Sunday along with the video of Reiter.
On Saturday before the rally was held, Moe posted a message on Twitter for those intending to go. He noted there were 11 new deaths in the province that day, which set a new single-day record in Saskatchewan.
“I hope those attending would consider how insignificant the inconveniences they are being asked to follow really are compared to the pain of losing a loved one.”
Saskatchewan reported three new COVID-19 deaths on Sunday, as well as 222 new cases.