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Saskatchewan’s top doctor and Premier Scott Moe responded to racist comments made at a rally on the weekend.
It happened at a large rally outside the legislative building against government restrictions and masks. The comment was directed at Dr. Saqib Shahab and the role he has had.
“I think racist comments speak more to the people making them than to whom they’re directed. Number two, I’m grateful to the premier, the leader of the opposition (and) many other people who reached out directly to me or spoke to the media to condemn these comments,” Shahab said during a government update Monday about new COVID-19 restrictions that were brought in for Christmas.
Shahab went on to say that he has his own privileges, including being a male physician with a good job.
“I am shielded from the harm these comments make. We all know that there are many people in the province and the world who don’t have these privileges and protections so I think this gives us pause to think about our own prejudices,” Shahab said.
Shahab said people who don’t follow the restrictions need to see the impact they are having on neighbouring communities.
Moe once again responded to the comments, after doing so over the weekend.
“I think it has been explained that that should be allowed due to the fact that we have freedom of speech in this country,” Moe said. “That’s correct — we do have the freedom of speech — so we also have the freedom for people like myself to describe those comments as racist (and) most certainly unnecessary.
“Those comments are foolish and they should never be made and they are nothing short of idiotic.”
Moe went on to list all of Shahab’s accomplishments, including his training at the University of Punjab in Pakistan, a masters in public health from Johns Hopkins University and a membership of the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom.
“He could have chosen anywhere in the world to practise his trade but he didn’t; he chose here. Saskatchewan is certainly a better place because of the choice he made,” Moe said.
“In respect to the comments that were made this weekend, I’m very embarrassed that anyone from this province would make such disgusting comments. I find it sickening and I know many other people in the province do.”
Moe also talked about the rally that took place and the fact organizers were asking people to go against public health orders.
“The inconveniences that we are asking people to perform are minor with respect to the huge inconveniences ultimately that many families are dealing with with a loved one — maybe elderly, maybe immunocompromised — that is struggling with COVID and may end all too often — 91 times thus far — with the death of a family member,” Moe said.
