When a municipality issues an emergency order and there’s a discrepancy between that and a provincial emergency order, the province’s orders take precedence.
Lori Carr, the minister of government relations, said if there’s a discrepancy, the province will review to ensure consistency.
“Right now, it is of the utmost importance that we maintain uniformity across Saskatchewan and reduce any level of confusion among our residents,” she said at a media teleconference on March 22.
Only two municipalities in the province have issued their own emergency orders: Regina and Gravelbourg.
Regina’s orders in particular clash with the province. For instance, it limits gatherings to five people, while the province’s order allows for 25. It also requires all retail stories to close on Monday, March 23, something that’s not required by the province.
Carr said Regina retail outlets can open on Monday.
The minister said she has talked to the Municipalities of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities about the requirement to stay consistent with provincial orders and that the government is setting up channels to improve communications between the province and municipalities.
“If a community does make an order, we would request that they send it to us and we would evaluate it,” she said, adding that if it contradicts provincial orders, that there would be an Order in Council to cancel the municipal order. The municipality would be told that’s what happened if that is the case.
Carr was also asked by the media what would happen to orders made by First Nations that limit access in and out of their communities.
“I haven't seen any of those myself, so, as I become aware, we'll see what happens with those moving forward.”
