The federal government is providing more supports for Indigenous communities who are responding to outbreaks in northern Saskatchewan communities.
At his morning update on Thursday from Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau repeated the government’s commitment from Wednesday that financial support will be going to the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Métis Nation – Saskatchewan to support their emergency response plan.
“Through this plan, we are partnering with communities to provide over $2.3 million for everything from food to supplies,” stated Trudeau. “We all want the same thing – to keep people safe. And we will continue coordinating to make sure that happens.”
The North West Saskatchewan Pandemic Response Plan is a collaboration between First Nation, Métis, municipal, provincial and federal partners in an effort to respond to COVID-19 in the province’s north.
Trudeau also thanked Canadians for “doing the right things” during the pandemic to limit the spread of the virus. During his opening statement, he announced that some national parks and historic sites will be reopening soon.
“As of the beginning of June, some national parks will be partially reopening so that people in the area can use trails and green spaces where physical distancing is possible.”
Camping will remain off limits at least until later in June when the government can come back and reassess the state of COVID-19 in Canada.
Trudeau added there will be new boating regulations to protect vulnerable communities in the north as of June 1.
He said no pleasure craft will be allowed to operate in Canada’s arctic coastal waters, however the ban does not include boats for essential fishing and hunting or for community use.
