MLA Calls for Apology from Saskatchewan Province for Vaccine Mandate Targeting Residents
REGINA—Saskatchewan MLA Nadine Wilson says she turned down the provincial vaccine mandate because she viewed it as an unethical violation of privacy. She emphasized that citizens deserve an apology from the government in order to start the healing process.
Ms. Wilson, who represents Saskatchewan Rivers, shared her testimony in Regina on May 30, becoming the first elected official to testify at the Regina National Citizens Inquiry on COVID-19.
During her testimony, Ms. Wilson highlighted how vaccine mandates caused severe difficulties for people, leading to some losing their businesses or homes.
“To move forward and heal, people are saying they need an apology,” Ms. Wilson stated.
Ms. Wilson departed from the governing Saskatchewan Party caucus in September 2021 after the party leadership insisted that all members of the caucus verbally confirmed their COVID-19 vaccination status. However, Ms. Wilson did not provide written proof later on.
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“I believed I had strong connections and relationships with my fellow colleagues in the government. We would attend barbecues, family events, and more together. However, everything changed when I decided to leave my party due to my vaccination status,” Ms. Wilson revealed.
Saskatchewan implemented its vaccine mandate in October 2021, which required proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for access to certain venues and services. The province ended the mandate in February 2022, being among the first to do so amidst widespread protests against mandates and COVID-19 policies nationwide.
Ms. Wilson noted that after Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer issued emergency orders, the cabinet was excluded from communication and decision-making processes.
“We were told not to communicate with that doctor,” she shared. “The foundation of democracy was disregarded, with decisions made behind closed doors, lacking transparency and accountability.”
Ms. Wilson criticized Canadian premiers for “panicking” and abandoning established emergency management procedures prior to the pandemic. She stated that the resulting policies led to overwhelming loneliness, despair, and devastated families.
“Fear dominated. Fear driven by the government, fear fueled by the media—it was incessant,” she added. “Numerous individuals across the province reached out to me, as their own elected representatives ignored their calls, closed their offices, and failed to respond.”
Ms. Wilson mentioned that she had to hire more staff to handle the flood of phone calls and correspondence she received.
“I will never forget the shock and distress of all these people in Saskatchewan pouring out their hearts on the phone, discussing suicide, contemplating leaving the province, even leaving Canada. These conversations will stay with me forever,” she shared.
“There was a significant lack of communication to elected officials on how to address the pandemic with constituents and provide them with hope and guidance. The most I could offer was to listen and reassure them that this situation wouldn’t last forever.”
Ms. Wilson raised concerns about the lack of proper responses from the government to her written questions about pandemic restrictions.
“The responses I received were far from transparent or accountable. I was left without any meaningful answers,” she expressed. “I deeply regret the suffering experienced by the people of Saskatchewan in their time of need. They were left without answers, and I couldn’t provide any for them.”
Ms. Wilson was instrumental in establishing the Saskatchewan United Party, officially registered in November 2022. She recently led the party and intends to run in the upcoming provincial election next October under the party’s banner.
