Métis Nation-Saskatchewan president facing calls for his resignation

The leader of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) who tested positive for COVID-19 is facing calls to step down after a Waskesiu hotel was forced to close.

Past president of the MN-S, Jim Durocher called for president Glen McCallum’s resignation in a letter on Tuesday.

“Due to your reckless and unforgivable behaviour, and disregard for health security of the potential hundreds of people you interacted with, it is incumbent on you, to do the right thing and step down,” said Jim Durocher, president of the Métis local branch in Ile-a-la-Crosse, Sask.

Hawood Inn owner Nancy Wood said by noon last Friday, two of her staff had complaints after McCallum was asked multiple times to follow hotel rules like wearing a mask in common areas or standing behind plexiglass at the front desk.

“I don’t see this as a (Métis Nation-Saskatchewan) issue, I see this as one guy that didn’t follow the rules,” Wood said. “Or as a leader, he didn’t lead by example.”

According to the MN-S, McCallum went for a drive-thru test in Saskatoon on Sept. 15th.

Since he presented no symptoms, MN-S said McCallum was not told to isolate. Instead, he continued on with scheduled meetings and was informed his results were positive on Friday afternoon.

Protocols listed on the province’s COVID-19 website state a person with no symptoms and no known exposure does not need to isolate unless a positive result is received.

Wood wasn’t required to close her doors but felt it was needed to ensure proper cleaning. She expressed her frustration over the situation on Gormley Wednesday.

“It’s an annoyance and it’s not fair to our industry,” said Wood.

“At least he should be following the same mask and social distancing rules as the ones we are teaching our children in schools. It’s pretty simple stuff as an adult.”

Wood also said Wednesday it was over two hours before she was notified by the president’s positive diagnosis, contradicting the timeline provided by MN-S.

MN-S and Prince Albert Métis leader defend McCallum

MN-S issued a news release Tuesday evening defending McCallum and to set the record straight on “inaccurate information.”

“At no time did the number of people in the room at the MN–S Minister meeting go over the maximum of 30 people allowed by the provincial Health Order.

“The time between learning of the diagnosis, notifying those in attendance, and notifying the facilities was less than 30 minutes. Upon learning of his diagnosis, the president immediately left the premises and went directly into isolation.”

Sherry McLennan, the director of Western Region Two for MN-S, was also at the meetings in Waskesiu and had supper with McCallum Thursday night.

“The president wasn’t sick and he wasn’t showing any signs of being sick,” she said.

“I would have done the same thing not being sick. I would have still said ‘you know go on with our lives, I’m gonna test negative,’” McLennan said.

In response to the public attacks against McCallum, McLennan cautioned people to be careful what they read, adding the MN-S is in full election mode at the moment.

“Maybe he did make a mistake, maybe he should have went home and self isolated but you know what, we are damned if we do and damned if we don’t when you’re a politician,”‘ she said, adding there’s a struggle within the MN-S from the old leadership who want back in power. “We’re gonna put one guy on the chopping block because he didn’t do something right.

McLennan herself has taken a COVID-19 test and is currently awaiting the results. In the meantime, the MN-S office in Prince Albert remains open while she works from home.

McCallum issues statement

McCallum did not return 650 CKOM’s phone calls for a comment. Instead, in a statement he said, “we sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to the hotel. We have reached out to offer assistance,” McCallum said.

“I sincerely hope that this difficult moment for my family does not discourage anyone from getting tested for COVID-19. Nobody is safe from the spread of this disease. Please get tested even if, like me, you are asymptomatic and are not known to have contact with anyone exposed to COVID-19. This should not discourage anyone from voluntary checks.”

Wood said she believes the MN-S intends to compensate her business, but did not elaborate.