Donna Harpauer, MLA, Humboldt-Watrous Constituency

The Roy Romanow Provincial Lab (RRPL) has completed an initial survey of positive COVID-19 cases of individuals that initially tested positive during the period... of January 26 to February 27 looking for COVID-19 variants. Of 190 cases sequenced for the variants, 35 were confirmed to be variants, including 28 in the Regina zone. Sequencing of positive cases for the initial survey began on March 1 when RRPL began in-province whole genome sequencing and were reported to the Ministry of Health on March 8. The confirmation of 44 variant of concern cases present over the span of two months is an indication that variants of concern, particularly B.1.1.7 initially detected in the UK, are present in Saskatchewan and community transmission has been occurring over the last two months. This also indicates that while variant transmission has been occurring over the last two months, Saskatchewan's COVID-19 data, including active cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths, have continued to decline. Saskatchewan will continue to monitor for variants through targeted and randomized surveys of positive COVID-19 cases. The best protection against all COVID-19 variants remains the same as protection against COVID-19: stay home, physically distance, wash your hands frequently, wear a mask and get tested if you are experiencing even mild symptoms. More: https://www.saskatchewan.ca//covid19-update-for-march-9-93

Happy International Women's Day to all the women in the Humboldt-Watrous Constituency and in our beautiful Province!! Have an awesome day!!!

ICYMI: Accelerating COVID-19 vaccination in Saskatchewan With expected deliveries of AstraZeneca in March, Saskatchewan residents ages 60-64 and phase one prior...ity health care workers will be offered the first 15,500 doses. Making vaccines available to the 60-64 age sequence group is being done as an exception to phase one criteria to align with the National Advisory Committee's recommendation that AstraZeneca supply be targeted to those under 65. Read more on the Government of Saskatchewan website: https://www.saskatchewan.ca//accelerating-covid-19-vaccina

Please see the important notice below on how to know that the Saskatchewan Health Authority is calling you.

We wish you and your loved ones peace, health, happiness and prosperity in the coming year! Our office will be closed December 24th and will re-open January 4th. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, ... Donna & Susan See more

Government Of Canada And Saskatchewan Expand Housing Benefit To Make Renting More Affordable For More People Released on December 21, 2020 Every Canadian deserves a place to call home that meets their needs and that they can afford. The Saskatchewan Housing Benefit (SHB), launched in April by the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan to help people with low incomes have more affordable rent, has now been expanded to support more low income renters in the province. The SHB ...is a monthly benefit available to people with low incomes who pay 50 per cent or more of their income on housing. The program, which was previously available only to people with low income who live in community housing, has now been expanded to support Saskatchewan renters in the private market as well. Through SHB, renters will receive a flat, monthly benefit based on their family and living situation. All eligible renters receive a flat, monthly benefit based on their household. For example, a single person or couple in a one-bedroom apartment will receive $150 per month; a family in a two-bedroom apartment will receive $200 per month; and a family living in an apartment with three bedrooms or more will receive $250 per month. The SHB was co-developed and is jointly funded by both the federal and provincial governments under the National Housing Strategy. A total of $6.8 million has been committed for the benefit this year. For more information or to apply for the SHB, visit www.saskatchewan.ca//renting-/saskatchewan-housing-benefit. Under the National Housing Strategy, our government is taking steps to ensure that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home, said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. Many renters need long-term, predictable assistance to pay their rent and we are providing that through the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit. With this announcement, we are taking significant action to continue to build strong communities where Saskatchewan families can prosper and thrive. I’m pleased to announce the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit is now available to renters in the private market to help cover part of their rent, allowing individuals to live more comfortably and securely, Social Services Minister Lori Carr said. I encourage Saskatchewan people who are eligible to apply for the program so they can have an easier time making ends meet.

For the latest version of this news release, please visit: http://saskatchewan.ca/news. Trade and Export Development 20-0215 APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR STRONG RECOVERY ADAPTATION REBATE... Following the December 7, 2020 introduction of the Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate (SRAR), the Government of Saskatchewan announced today that applications for the program are now open and will be accepted through to March 31, 2021. Small businesses are critical to our economy in Saskatchewan, Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. While many small businesses have been adversely impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, they have also been incredibly innovative in adapting their operations to protect public health and reduce the spread of the virus. Our government will continue to support the small business community as we work towards economic recovery, and this Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate is one more tool to support them. This rebate program will assist small businesses by reimbursing the incremental investments they have made to adapt their business models as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adaptations could include changing the use of square footage, installing physical infrastructure to comply with COVID-19 mitigation guidelines, and upgrading technology such as websites to enhance an e-commerce platform for their business. The SRAR is available to Saskatchewan businesses that employ less than 100 people, plan to continue operating, and have experienced at least a 30 per cent revenue decline compared to 2019. Eligible applicants will receive a reimbursement of 50 per cent of eligible expenditures up to a maximum of $5,000 for a $10,000 expenditure. Business adaptation expenditures must have been spent between April 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021, and total a minimum of $300 to qualify. For more information and to apply, please contact [email protected], 1-844-800-8688, or visit www.saskatchewan.ca/strong-recovery-adaptation-rebate. The application deadline is March 31, 2021.