A New Democrat MLA is accusing the province of doing very little to help the northern community of Fond du Lac address its COVID-19 situation.
Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger said Saskatchewan is leaving it to the federal government to help.
“The bottom line is this Saskatchewan Party is nowhere to be found. All Scott Moe and company are doing is pointing to Ottawa. They are not providing any leadership whatsoever. I would remind them that these are Saskatchewan families, Saskatchewan children that are in the midst of this pandemic,” said Belanger.
Belanger is asking the province to address food security concerns. Provide relief for high power bills, which he said for some Fond du Lac residents are approximately $1000 per month. And to provide additional personal protective equipment and health care staff.
“They’re having trouble getting enough food in place. They’re had trouble with their water treatment plant in particular, in Fond du Lac. The staff that helped are just swamped with the amount of work that is required. And what is this Saskatchewan Party doing? Absolutely nothing but pointing their fingers to Ottawa. And that is not leadership at all,” explained Belanger.
The current active case count in Fond du Lac is 46. Monday saw three new infections, with 20 recoveries.
The federal government has committed $3 million in aid to Fond du Lac as part of $120 million announced Friday for Sask. and Alberta First Nations struggling with COVID-19.
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said the Ministry also accelerated the parts needed to repair the water treatment facility.
As well, the Ministry has made available six nurses and one paramedic and a rapid testing machine in Stony Rapids.
A spokesperson for Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health said Fond du Lac has been provided cleaning kits and that the Sask. Health Authority is prepared to provide additional staffing to that community.