(file photo/Nigel Maxwell)

By paNOW Staff

COVID-19

Montreal Lake Cree Nation calls for end to all liquor sales

Apr 2, 2020 | 8:44 AM

The Montreal Lake Cree Nation wants the provincial government to end all liquor sales given the COVID-19 pandemic. It said the continued sale of alcohol was leading to high-risk behavior and an increase in bootlegging.

A media release issued Wednesday night said the Chief and Council of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation supported the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in calling on the Government of Saskatchewan to close all liquor sales in the province to implement COVID-19 precautionary pandemic measures.

The release said if the Government of Saskatchewan closed bars, casinos and schools, then they should close all liquor establishments that sell alcohol.

“Since the bars and night clubs have been shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen an increase of house parties on our First Nation,” Chief Frank Roberts was quoted as saying in the release.

“On behalf of Council, we are extremely worried that people at these parties, which involve the use of alcohol, are not practicing social distancing. Consequently, this high-risk behaviour of socializing at house parties will only contribute to the spread of COVID-19. In addition, bootleggers have ramped up their illegal liquor sales on reserve.”

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Roberts said Montreal Lake Cree Nation had joined other First Nations leaders and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations “to ensure this message is made to Premier Scott Moe and we stand by our decision in doing what is best for our communities and membership. Shut down all liquor sales because we are having issues with alcohol and partying. It’s time to act in the best interests of everyone in Saskatchewan.”

panews@jpbg.ca

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