Several showing COVID-19 symptoms after attending meetings with Métis Nation — Sask. president, says official

At least five people who attended meetings in Waskesiu last week with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) president Glen McCallum now have COVID-19 symptoms, according to a senior MN-S official.

McCallum attended the two-day meeting at Waskesiu's Hawood Inn as he awaited the results of a COVID-19 test, according to MN-S statements. McCallum was informed of his positive test during the meeting Friday afternoon, MN-S said. 

Two senior officials confirm McCallum did not wear a mask during the indoor gathering, which was attended by more than two dozen people. They also say no one informed them McCallum was awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.

CBC News has agreed not to name the MN-S officials or identify their specific positions within the organization.

"I just can't believe it. This is not leadership. This is selfish and reckless," the official said.

MN-S says McCallum not told to isolate

McCallum was not available for an interview Monday. In a social media post Sunday, McCallum said he appreciates all the support he's received since being diagnosed. He said he will follow all public health guidelines and is urging others to do the same.

"I'm fortunate to be healthy and not have any symptoms but this demonstrates how easily, and unknowingly, this virus is spread."

The MN-S said it would respond to a series of emailed questions. In social media posts over the weekend, the MN-S said McCallum was asymptomatic and was not told to isolate. The MN-S statement said shaming people is not helpful.

"It is profoundly disappointing to see some individuals and politically motivated gossip sites engaging in unfounded rumour-mongering and finger-pointing during a serious public health crisis," read the statement.

The official who spoke to CBC said this isn't political, it's about holding McCallum and any other leaders involved accountable for their actions.

When McCallum received news of his positive test result in a phone call during the meeting last Friday afternoon, everyone in the room was in shock and left immediately, said one official. Many of them remain in lockdown or isolation in their own homes or in hotels, said an official.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a warning for Saskatoon, Rosthern and Prince Albert over the weekend about an individual who "was likely infectious" when frequenting a list of golf courses, restaurants, a coffee shop and a hotel, along with Waskesiu's Hawood Inn, in recent days.

McCallum should have immediately isolated when he got the COVID-19 test, said the official who spoke to CBC. McCallum should have either cancelled the meeting, attended via video call, or at least worn a mask, the official said. The official said many of the roughly 25 people who attended the meeting are angry.

"The public needs to know the truth," the official said. "He put us at risk. He put our families at risk. He put these businesses and communities at risk."

McCallum attended fundraiser for Rob Norris

According to PA Now, the Hawood Inn closed immediately to conduct several days of exhaustive cleaning.

Also, as first reported by the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, city council candidate Chris Sicotte said he's getting tested after attending two recent events with McCallum — a Sept. 9 fundraising event for mayoral candidate Rob Norris and a Sept. 16 dinner at Cut Casual Steak and Tap Restaurant in downtown Saskatoon. 

The MN-S official said several of them expect to get results of their test back in the next 24 to 48 hours.

McCallum also attended a Sept. 9 fundraiser for Saskatoon mayoral candidate Rob Norris. Dale Richardson, Norris' campaign manager, said McCallum and Norris interacted from a safe distance for less than 15 minutes.

After learning of McCallum's positive test, Norris called the 811 health line and was told he did not need to get tested but that he should self-monitor for symptoms, Richardson said. Norris plans to get tested anyway, Richardson said. 

Norris will continue to door-knock, but will take extra precautions, like staying back more than six feet, Richardson said.

"In accordance with SHA recommendations we will be asking guests that attended that event to self-monitor for symptoms and call 811 if they had or develop symptoms," Richardson said. 

Saskatchewan Minister of Central Services Ken Cheveldayoff also attended the Norris fundraiser. 

"Although I was at this event, I had no interaction with Mr. McCallum and have not been contacted by public health authorities. While I am experiencing no symptoms, I will be self-monitoring and will receive a COVID-19 test out of an abundance of caution," Cheveldayoff said in a statement. 

He said he was the only Sask. Party MLA to attend the event.

Sicotte rethinking Ward 3 campaign after self-isolation

Sicotte, who is running for the Ward 3 seat in Saskatoon's Nov. 9 municipal election, said health workers told him Monday that he needs to self-isolate for two weeks, until Sept. 30.

He said he spoke to McCallum from a safe distance for less than 15 minutes at the Sept. 9 fundraiser and that he sat at a separate table from McCallum during the Sept. 16 dinner. 

Sicotte said health workers didn't give him a specific reason for why he needs to self-isolate. 

"I suspect it had more to do with dinner at Cut just because, you know, even though President McCallum left just before supper started, we would have had to take our masks off to eat," he said.

McCallum called Sicotte on Friday to tell him about his positive test, Sicotte said. 

"I do thank him for that," Sicotte said. 

The fundraiser was hosted by businessperson Bob Bahari, Sicotte said. 

"It was very informal, kind of a come-and-go," Sicotte said. "It was held outdoors. There was social distancing that was being practised. There was hand sanitizer that was at all of the tables and most of the attendees, including myself, were using masks when we were there."

Sicotted estimated McCallum was there for 30 to 45 minutes and could not recall if McCallum was masked. 

Sicotte said he will stay at a hotel, away from his family, and that he is actively considering whether to continue on with his campaign. 

He said he has underlying health conditions that already prompted him to stop door knocking within the last week. 

"Having heard this news today, and it is quite a lot to absorb, I am going to have to take some time to talk with my family and talk to some of my supporters and really determine whether or not I want to continue at this point," Sicotte said. 

"The one thing that I want to say really clearly is I'm not angry. I've seen a lot of stuff on Facebook, on social media right now, where there's a lot of anger and finger-pointing like this. This could have happened at any point."