Canadian Ranger Master Corporal Clayton Desjarlais of the the Île-à-la-Crosse Canadian Ranger Patrol delivers fish that was freshly caught by fellow Patrol members to an elder in Île-à-la-Crosse, on April 13, 2020 as part of the Patrol’s ongoing support to COVID-19 community relief efforts.

Three Canadian Ranger Patrols in northern Saskatchewan are providing support to communities during the Canadian Armed Forces Operation LASER COVID-19 relief efforts.

Members of the Wollaston Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol and the Île-à-la-Crosse Canadian Ranger Patrol in northern Saskatchewan responded to Request for Assistances on April 11, 2020, and the Fond-du-Lac Patrol on April 15, 2020, following requests that were submitted to the province’s emergency management office. This is a collaborative effort and the Canadian Rangers are working with municipal officials to support COVID-19 relief efforts.

The Wollaston Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol is currently working with the Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation officials to assist community members by delivering firewood and food as well as helping to staff the community’s COVID-19 emergency response centre.

“As Canadian Rangers, we are ready, able and committed to supporting our community during these difficult times,” said Canadian Ranger Sergeant Jean Tsannie, Patrol Commander for the Wollaston Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol. “By assisting municipal officials with logistical support, we are working to ensure that community members remain supported and cared for during COVID-19 relief efforts.”

In Île-à-la-Crosse the Canadian Rangers are supporting their community by assisting officials with the distribution of information related to best practices of health and hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and supplying firewood to members.

Members of the Fond-du-Lac Canadian Ranger Patrol are assisting the community with transportation and distribution of supplies for people in isolation, setting up and staffing their emergency response centre, and delivering food and firewood to community elders in isolation.

Canadian Rangers are a part of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reserves and work in remote, isolated and coastal regions of Canada. They provide lightly-equipped, self-sufficient mobile forces to support domestic operations and support to CAF national security and public safety operations within Canada.

Operation LASER is the Canadian Armed Forces response to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic situation. Currently, over 200 Canadian Rangers with the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group are on standby and are ready to support local Request for Assistances as needed through the Canadian Armed Forces.

“I am proud that our Canadian Rangers are ready and willing to respond to provide unique support to municipal officials during ongoing community relief efforts for COVID-19,” said Lieutenant Colonel Russ Meades, Commanding Officer of 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group.