Sask NDP Caucus launches radio campaign to boost northern vaccine rates

LA RONGE – Today, the MLAs for Athabasca and Cumberland, Buckley Belanger and Doyle Vermette, launched a radio campaign to address vaccine hesitancy and boost COVID-19 vaccination rates in the North. While first dose vaccination rates are stalling across the province, Belanger and Vermette are particularly concerned about uptake in their regions.

“The Sask Party government has been missing-in-action in the North. They’ve just completely written us off,” said Belanger. “A lot of folks up here are extremely dependent on community. The way this virus works, we know that folks in the North are especially vulnerable. This government should have prioritized a strategy to get shots into arms in these communities, but they have clearly chosen otherwise.”

Low vaccination rates in Northern Saskatchewan have been raised as a concern. In the far North West, English River First Nation has declared a 48-hour lockdown after a spike in cases. Much of northern COVID-19 response and vaccination strategy has been implemented not by the province, but rather local Indigenous leadership, who were recognized in November for their efforts by Canada’s top doctor. This leadership has been continued, recently demonstrated by the drive-thru clinic run by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.

“We need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to get as many folks vaccinated as possible. That’s why we’re launching this campaign,” said Vermette. “For your own safety, for the safety of your family, for the safety of your community, if you haven’t already, please go get vaccinated.”

The radio announcements will run beginning Monday June 21 and continue over the next several weeks in English, Cree, and Dene. The raw audio files can be listened to at this link.

Latest posts

JEREMY COCKRILL IS FORCING HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO A STRIKE VOTE — AND HIS OWN COMMUNITY WILL PAY THE PRICE

Pattern Of Failed Bargaining Attempts Mean Workers Leaving For Good And Putting System In Increasing Danger: Roy
NORTH BATTLEFORD – Carla Beck’s team is in Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill’s own riding today, calling him out for forcing 14,000 desperately needed healthcare workers to vote on a strike as they have gone four years without a contract.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM CALLS FOR ACTION TO SUPPORT SASKATCHEWAN PRODUCERS IN WAKE OF DAMNING REPORT ON PRODUCERS BEING SHORTED AND SQUEEZED

Agriculture Producers Association Of Saskatchewan Says Costs Rising, Farm Share Falling For Saskatchewan Producers
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team, while taking in Ag in Motion in Langham, is calling on Scott Moe and the Sask. Party to take action to improve the bottom line for producers.

THE SASK. PARTY CLAIMS ABOUT IMPROVING SAID PROGRAM DON’T MATCH THE REALITY OF CLIENTS WHO ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO GET BY

Scott Moe, Sask. Party Focused On Photo Ops & Political Spin While Those In Need Suffer
REGINA – Today, Carla Beck’s team is calling out the Sask. Party for their continual failures to provide sufficient support for SAID clients here in Saskatchewan.

POTENTIAL HEALTHCARE WORKER STRIKE ENTIRELY THE FAULT OF SCOTT MOE, JEREMY COCKRILL

Carla Beck’s Team Demands A Fair Deal For Frontline Workers After Four Years Without A Contract
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is laying the potential of a fall strike involving thousands of healthcare workers squarely at the feet of Scott Moe and his ignorant Health Minister — who seems to cause strikes everywhere he goes — and demanding immediate action to get to the bargaining table and deliver a fair deal.

NDP Caucus Office