(File Photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Goudy Talks Re-Open Saskatchewan

Melfort MLA reacts to Re-Open Saskatchewan plan

Apr 24, 2020 | 9:00 AM

Melfort’s Member of the Legislative Assembly is standing behind Premier Scott Moe’s Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Todd Goudy said to this point Scott Moe has done a great job, especially with so many people asking and telling him numerous opinions on a daily basis.

“He’s done a great job in keeping safety first,” Goudy told northeastNOW. “And yet now responsibly moving to get the economy re-opened.”

Goudy said he’s excited the curve for COVID-19 has been relatively flat, and the businesses that have been open, are doing a good job with safety measures to keep the curve flat.

Locally, Goudy had said businesses in the area have been co-operative, and positive during this time, but the ones closed do need to open soon.

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“The businesses just really can’t sustain themselves without customers,” he said.

Goudy said he’s also had conversations with business owners talking about how they can have a campaign to slowly open up and conduct business through delivery or pickup, or other methods.

“There’s been some creative, cautious talk amongst the businesses in our area,” Goudy said. “But always it’s about safety of their employees and their customers.”

With northeast Saskatchewan being very reliant on agriculture, Goudy said it’s been good that places like manufacturing plants, and farm operations can remain open and working during this time. However, there are numerous other businesses in the area that aren’t able to gain revenue.

“We have maybe not felt the pinch as much as others,” Goudy said. “Our restaurants and some of the service industries have definitely suffered through this time. I’m hoping that we all pitch in and order online, pick up, all these kinds of things and are ready to get back and support local businesses as soon as we can.”

Goudy added it’s way to early to tell if this is the right time, but he said the way businesses have implemented safety measures is good to see and we can start expanding things now.

“The only way to know for sure is hindsight,” he said. “And I’m sure a year from now there will be a lot of comments made on both sides; ‘we should’ve done it earlier’ [or] ‘we should’ve waited.'”

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6