Sask. proof-of-vaccination policy survives court challenge

Saskatchewan’s Court of Queen’s Bench has determined the province’s proof-of-vaccination policy can go ahead Friday as scheduled.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, Justice Minister and Attorney General Gord Wyant said the government had been served earlier this week with an application for an injunction brought by persons and organizations looking to keep the policy from taking effect.

Wyant said lawyers from the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General and from a firm representing SaskTel, SaskEnergy, SaskPower and SGI “successfully argued against the injunction” in Court of Queen’s Bench.

“The Court ruled that the application was fundamentally flawed,” Wyant wrote. “Among other issues, the applicants failed to show any evidence that the proof of vaccine requirements would cause irreparable harm if they came into force (Friday).”

The statement said the applicants were ordered to pay costs of $5,000 to the provincial government and the Crown corporations.

“The proof of vaccine requirements being put into place to address the pandemic are in line with provincial and federal legislation, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Wyant wrote.

“Our government will continue to defend these measures, in court if necessary, to ensure the continued health and safety of the people of Saskatchewan.”

Starting Friday, people will need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to gain access to a number of businesses, establishments and event venues in the province.