Supporters rally around Shahab in wake of protest

Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer wasn’t talking Monday about a protest outside his Regina home Saturday.

However, Dr. Saqib Shahab wasn’t letting it interrupt his work, either.

In a statement, the Premier’s Office said Shahab and Premier Scott Moe will provide an update on the province’s response to COVID-19 on Tuesday.

“The Ministry of Health has indicated that Dr. Shahab will not let this incident distract him from continuing his important ongoing work and is unavailable for comment today,” the statement said.

Shahab also received support from the province’s medical community Monday, as well as residents of the province.

The president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association issued a media release in which she denounced the protesters.

“Bringing a protest to Dr. Shahab’s private residence is absolutely unacceptable, and the SMA condemns these actions,” Dr. Barb Konstantynowicz said in the release.

On Saturday, Moe called the protesters “a group of idiots” and suggested if they have issues with the policies put in place by the government to deal with COVID-19 in the province, they should contact him or their MLAs.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili also tweeted his support for Shahab.

100% agree. This is incredibly stupid and dangerous.
Dr. Shahab is doing a very difficult and important job trying to protect us all from COVID-19.
He deserves our respect and support, not this unconscionable abuse. https://t.co/tBbsRv1DIT

— Ryan Meili (@ryanmeili) January 24, 2021

“Since the pandemic, physicians and all health-care providers have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to caring for and putting the safety of Saskatchewan citizens first. Everyone’s effort to reduce the spread of this virus is critical,” Dr. Konstantynowicz said.

“Measures such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, hand-washing and limiting the size of gatherings remain the best defence against COVID-19 spread. The SMA is extremely grateful for Dr. Shahab’s tireless, dedicated efforts in fighting the pandemic on behalf of the people of the province.”

Members of the public and business community also took to Twitter to offer their thoughts.

Dr. Saqib Shahab

A man that works more hours in a day than ANY other citizen of Saskatchewan, to try and navigate us through these difficult times we find ourselves in, and THIS is the thanks we show him.

This is NOT Saskatchewan. We are FAR better than this#IStandWithShahab https://t.co/HcBR4u2qMv

— QuickDickMcDick (@QuickDickMcDick) January 24, 2021

I am outraged to hear that "protestors" went to the home of Dr. Shahab. Where his family should feel safe, we live in Canada after all.
We can not tolerate this kind of behaviour.
I stand with Dr. Shahab, I hope you will too.#IStandWithShahab #sask

— Leasa G 🇨🇦 (@Canuckgirl) January 24, 2021

It is with the highest level of appreciation & respect that I thank Dr. Shahab’s & his family for their selfless commitment to #Saskatchewan & for his steadfast commitment to fighting #covid19sk -he like every member of @SaskHealth define leadership daily. #IstandwithShahab 💚💛

— Tim Reid (@timreid62) January 24, 2021

The Regina Police Service issued a media release confirming officers were at Shahab’s home to monitor the situation.

“Police will review the information gathered to determine if further action is required,” the police release said.

Police Chief Evan Bray spoke to the media Monday following the Board of Police Commissioners meeting.

He says police were alerted about the protest in the residential area.

“It’s a group of protesters that we are acquainted with. We’ve had interactions with them and discussions with them many times, mostly around the Leg,” Bray said.

He explained why police didn’t just arrest everyone involved then and there.

“When police arrive on the scene at a protest, if there are things that are happening that are clearly a criminal breach — someone picks up a stone and throws it through a car window, someone has now committed mischief, someone is stealing something, someone is punching someone — those types of things police are going to deal with immediately because our first and foremost priority is making sure people are safe and making sure that we can protect property and trying to deal with those immediate threats as quickly as we can,” Bray said.

He said the long-term investigation isn’t as interesting to the public.

“The public want to see the police go in and bust up an unruly crowd but this wasn’t an unruly crowd … They even had their faces covered; it was winter gear but they had their faces covered. They were in groups that were not contradicting the public health order. So for police to go there and take some sort of action likely would have been putting our police officers offside with what their authority is,” Bray said.

The Premier’s Office said “appropriate steps are being taken to ensure the safety and security of Dr. Shahab,” but wouldn’t divulge any other information.