Sask. adds cannabis, liquor stores late to proof of vaccination system

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Jim Southam is still trying to discover why his cannabis stores were included this week in the group of businesses that must demand customers provide proof of vaccination.

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Southam said staff at the three stores he owns were scrambling on Friday to ensure they are complying with the order after only finding out about the change on Tuesday afternoon from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming and Authority.

Liquor and cannabis retailers were included in the services that were deemed essential during the start of the pandemic in March 2020; the vaccine proof requirement mainly applies to non-essential activities, with retailers mostly exempt, Southam said.

The new health order includes exemptions for off-sale liquor outlets and liquor stores inside other retail locations, such as those in smaller communities.

“With no official announcement by the province, you know, we kind of feel like this was dumped on our lap and we’re now responsible for informing the public about the provincial policies,” Southam said in an interview on Friday.

Southam, who also serves as vice-president of the Saskatchewan Independent Cannabis Retailers Network, said he was told by SLGA officials that the change came from Health Minister Paul Merriman.

Southam said he’s asked for a meeting with Merriman to try to understand why cannabis and liquor stores are no longer deemed essential.

SLGA spokesman David Morris said in an email on Friday that liquor and cannabis stores were included to encourage more people to get vaccinated. Morris did not explain why the decision was made so late, or why the government did not make an official announcement.

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“COVID-19 measures continue to evolve and SLGA will share new information with stakeholders as it becomes available,” the email said.

The province’s business response team acknowledged in an email Friday that the late notice for liquor and cannabis stores created a “bit of a challenge.”

Southam issued a news release on Thursday to warn about the decision. It mentioned his concern for the safety of employees who may need to inform customers about the requirement.

Southam, who owns two Prairie Cannabis stores in Saskatoon and one in Prince Albert, said staff were being trained on the policy and the proper documentation required.

“There’s a lot of things that are very confusing about this and we’re just trying to do the best we can to navigate the situation,” he said.

NDP Opposition jobs and economy critic Aleana Young slammed the Saskatchewan Party government for failing to give liquor and cannabis store owners sufficient notice about the change.

Young told reporters in Regina that cannabis and liquor retailers were “taken completely off guard and surprised” by the move. “And again this speaks to poor planning at best or a complete disregard for the realities of business owners at worst,” she said.

Young also criticized the exemption for off-sale outlets and those located inside grocery stores or other locations as creating a “two-tiered system.”

Overall, she labelled the rollout of the vaccine passport to be a “complete and utter failure” by the government to provide businesses and employees with the guidance they need.

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Cannabis and liquor stores were deemed essential in March 2020 when most other retail stores and services were required to close. Premier Scott Moe said at the time that liquor and cannabis stores stayed open to prevent a rush of people seeking detoxification services.

— With Leader-Post Files from Arthur White-Crummey

ptank@postmedia.com

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