Saskatchewan Premier Moe says we should not 'stigmatize the unvaccinated'

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is calling for an end to the stigmatization of those who are not vaccinated for COVID-19.

"We are going to do everything that we can to ensure that we are not, as Dr. Shahab said, stigmatizing the unvaccinated," Moe said, according to CTV News. "These are our family, these are our friends and we should not be labeling them with terms like 'right-wing wacko.'"

Moe was recently criticized by NDP Opposition leader Ryan Meili, who said that a call between group Unified Grassroots and the premier was proof that the premier had spoken to "radical extremists."

The group describe themselves as "an action-oriented group," and were involved in unsuccessfully challenging the province against proof of vaccination policies.

"He’s ready to hop on the phone for somebody who puts rants on YouTube. Ready to hop on the phone for the latest anti-vax group. Why is this government willing to listen to those anti-vax groups and not to the medical experts who are working so hard to keep us safe," Meili said.

The leader of the group has called Meili's comments "defaming."

"It didn’t address at all who we are," said group president Nadine Ness, adding that the phone call between herself and Moe was to promote civil discourse.

Ness said that her group are not anti-vaxxers, and that many group members are vaccinated themselves. Instead, Ness says that mandates are the problem.

"It creates a problem where you divide society in two groups, where you spread the message that one group is better than the other or one group deserves better than the other and that’s something that’s going to damage the population not just now. It’s going to damage them for generations to come," she said.

Recent polling figures show a serious distain for the unvaccinated in Canada from the vaccinated.

A recent poll revealed that a vast majority of Canadians believe that people should be fired from their jobs if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Angus Reid published their findings in November, showing that 70 percent of Canadians take a harsh line against the unvaccinated.

Canadians continued to support firing the unvaccinated even if that included getting rid of airline employees, school teachers, police officers, firefighters and medical professionals.

Additionally, 64 percent of Canadians thought that restaurant workers should be fired for being unvaccinated, while 53 percent thought this should be extended to small business employees.

This survey included 1,000 Canadians from across the country.