On-line Petition Calls For Support For Most Vulnerable During Pandemic

It started with a discussion and finally a March 30th letter from Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark and several civic and community organizations in the Bridge City asking Premier Scott Moe to leave nobody behind in the Covid - 19 pandemic.

And second letter was penned by Moose Jaw Mayor Fraser Tolmie and signed by the mayors of Saskatchewan largest cities.

The letters call for the provincial government to undertake four actions to help ensure those who may well bear the brunt of the Covid - 19 pandemic are provided supports to self isolate and stop the spread.

The four supports aimed to seeing the homeless the letters call for are:

1) increasing funding support for urban Indigenous populations;

2) approving ‘block funding’ for existing shelter services to allow clients to be separated and physically-distanced in their facilities;

3) implementing hotel-based shelter services in collaboration with frontline agencies, Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the Provincial Government;

4) resolving confusion about reporting processes, wait-times, available resources, and options for alternate hotel accommodations and costs.

The original letter can be read by clicking here - letter from Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark.

To help the chances of the measures being quickly enacted a Saskatoon-based group has started an on-line petition.

The need to provide additional and timely supports is not just to help save lives but it also benefits the community at large says one of its organizers.

“It is urgent to resolve these issues so that people get the support they need to socially isolate and maintain their health,” said Barbara Fornssler PhD, Adjunct Faculty, School of Public Health at the University of Saskatchewan in a statement.

“We know that COVID-19 will be very difficult to contain if it begins to spread within vulnerable populations. That will not only put these individuals at unnecessary risk, but also healthcare providers, the medical system, and community at large,” Fornssler stated.

Anyone wishing to sign the on-line petition may do so by clicking the link - Leave No One Behind.