Gordon Barnhart. (File photo/CKOM News Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

COVID-19

President of the Municipalities of Sask. travelled internationally, P.A. mayor calls for his resignation

Jan 8, 2021 | 4:47 PM

The Municipalities of Saskatchewan Board of Director’s have publicly expressed their disappointment in President Gordon Barnhart’s decision to travel internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Rodger Hayward, Municipalities of Saskatchewan’s Vice-President of Towns confirmed to paNOW Barnhart travelled to Hawaii. The precise dates of his travel were not disclosed.

“As municipal leaders, we have a duty to lead by example and keep our communities safe by following public health measures and recommendations,” Hayward said in a media release.

The Board of Directors met Friday and are requesting that Barnhart respond to the public and the membership regarding his travel.

Hayward added that both the Municipalities of Saskatchewan and their hometowns have been working to support their residents and believe everyone should be doing their part to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

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Mayor of P.A. calls for Barnhart’s resignation

In an interview with paNOW Mayor of Prince Albert Greg Dionne said Barnhart should resign from his position. He said for the last 11 months the provincial government has met with them every week with the 16 mayors, SUMA (the previous acronym for Municipalities of Saskatchewan), SARM (Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities), and True North to brief them on COVID-19 and ask them for help.

“Leading up to the holidays one thing they asked us to do is to get on the air and tell people not to socialize heavy at Christmas, don’t travel,” Dionne said.

“We’re leaders, granted he’s not a provincial or a federal or a municipal government, but he is a government of the municipalities and he’s our leader,” he continued. “We have to lead by example and our example is we’re telling our people not to travel and not to go out of our country.”

Although Dionne said Barnhart is allowed to run for president again he believes he should “do the right thing” and step down.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow