Moe says Dr. Shahab may soon have security after Saturday incident

By: Brian Zinchuk, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

REGINA – Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab has recently been the target of protests, and an incident on Saturday, Jan. 23, had Premier Scott Moe saying the Regina Police Service and RCMP would be involved and security is being considered for the doctor who has led this province through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taking to social media late in the evening of Jan. 24, Moe posted, “Earlier today, a group of idiots took their misguided protest to Dr. Shahab’s family home in Regina. This harassment of Dr. Shahab and his family at their home is simply unacceptable, sickening and wrong.

“To those that did this - you should be ashamed of yourselves and your actions. After months of spending virtually every waking hour working tirelessly to protect the health and well being of Saskatchewan people though this pandemic, this is the last thing Dr. Shahab deserves.”

He said if people want to take aim at someone, take aim at him, not Shahab. Moe wrote, “As Premier, I know some will disagree with the actions and decisions of the government. But disagreeing with decisions made by our government gives no one the right to harass a dedicated public servant and his family. If you disagree with a decision our government has made, you can take it up with me. Email me at scott.moe@gov.sk.ca, or call your MLA.

“The Regina Police Service and RCMP have been engaged to ensure the immediate safety of Dr. Shahab and his family, and I would encourage them to investigate any potential breaches of the law or public health orders and press charges accordingly.

“Unfortunately, the government is currently evaluating long-term security options to ensure that Dr. Shahab can continue focusing on providing the valuable advice he has throughout the pandemic without needing to worry about his personal safety or that of his family,” Moe concluded.