Saskatoon mayor says provincial inaction on COVID-19 is hurting the economy

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says Saskatchewan is quickly earning the reputation of not being a safe place to visit.

On Tuesday, Clark repeated calls for a public health order by the provincial government to re-establish measures to manage COVID-19.

On Monday, Saskatchewan set a single-day record for new cases with 449. The bulk of the new cases continue to be from the Saskatoon region.

“This patchwork ‘every organization to themselves’ approach, to me, is creating a lot of stress (and) a lot of frustration. I’ve heard it from organizations and other mayors consistently,” Clark said on The Brent Loucks Show.

“We’re the only province in the country that is now operating this way. To me, there’s a better way, there’s a safer way and I hope we get there.”

The Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association is asking city council for a mask exemption for players, referees and coaches during games and practices. Clark says it’s one example of the city now having to make tough decisions on COVID-19 without guidance from the provincial government.

“This is now our reputation in Saskatchewan that we are not seen as a safe a place for people to come together,” said Clark.

“If we’re seen as a place that has less certainty (and) less clarity around rules and people are deciding where to bring their business, I am concerned about the impact that is going to have.”

According to Clark, some events in Saskatoon have been cancelled for this reason. But the group representing hoteliers in Saskatchewan has not noticed an increase in cancellations among its members.

“It seems that there is a certain level of customer confidence out there,” said Jim Bence, president and CEO at Hospitality Saskatchewan.

“As numbers do what they do, there is always going to be apprehensive or hesitation, but from what I’m hearing it’s still good to go.”

Bence said the most important thing for businesses is being allowed to keep their doors open without restrictions on customers.

Next Monday, city council is to discuss a blanket framework policy for organizations, events and sports to operate under.