Councillor Gersher provided the following Notice of Motion in accordance with section 129(1)(b) of Bylaw No. 9170, The Procedures and Committees Bylaw, 2014:
"WHEREAS, health care professionals have committed and dedicated their work to provide care for their communities with respect for human life and individual dignity;
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020;
WHEREAS, physicians, nurses, health care assistants, homecare and residential care providers, paramedics, mental health providers, emergency management teams, pharmacists, and others who work in health care have served on the frontlines to protect our community through the COVID-19 pandemic when the rest of the world shut down;
WHEREAS, we recognize the cost to our health care workers has included, but is not limited to, isolation from family, sickness, tireless work days, and the loss of life of colleagues and patients;
WHEREAS, many health care workers provide voluntary education, awareness and advocacy regarding COVID-19;
WHEREAS, the sick in our community, whether afflicted with COVID-19, or suffering with another illness, are treated and tended to by devoted health care workers, who surround and support our sick loved ones when family is not allowed by their loved one’s bedside during the pandemic;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that on behalf of the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon City Council extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all our health care workers, who continue to show heroic efforts in protecting our community during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk be requested to proclaim November 1 – 8, 2021 “Health Care Worker Appreciation Week” through The Flag and Proclamations Policy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, all members of our community have a role to play in ensuring that our health care workforces are supported, protected, motivated, and equipped to deliver safe health care at all times.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, GPC recommend to City Council that during Health Care Worker Appreciation Week (November 1 – 8, 2021) that Health Care Workers, and their families, receive a 40% discount on visits to Leisure Centres, in appreciation and gratitude as stated in the Proclamation.”
Councillor Gersher spoke to the motion, noting amendments from the agenda version to add in the proposed date for Health Care Worker Appreciation Week, and to reflect the proper title of paramedics. A further resolution was added to propose a leisure centre discount for health care workers and their families. Questions were responded to from members of Committee, along with General Manager, Community Services Division Lacroix.