When the call went out – and sometimes even before it went out – for the private sector to assist with supplies of critical items to fight the pandemic, Saskatchewan enterprises were quick to step up.
Local craft alcohol makers – firms such as Lucky Bastard – shifted some of their production to making hand sanitizers. One of the co-owners of LB Distillers is a medical doctor, so the importance of sanitizers and ensuring an adequate supply was available to first responders was crystal clear to him, prompting the production shift.
Another product in high demand is medical masks or respirators. With a global shortage, government and health officials called on private business to see if they had some in their stores. It turns out quite a few businesses use these products and stepped forward. When the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association canvassed its members, more than 1,000 units were quickly donated.
And given that many of these companies are still waiting for spring to start their own projects, these products were sitting on the shelf waiting for the weather to turn.
