Anti-vaccine Sask. dad in hiding with daughter, 7, often talked about taking her away, says former friend
CBC
A Saskatchewan man who says he's in hiding with his 7-year-old daughter to protect her from the COVID-19 vaccine often talked of taking her away from her mother forever, says a former friend.
CBC News has also learned Michael Jackson, also known as "Mike" and "Mikey," is being assisted financially by at least one business associate.
"He always talked about taking off, almost obsessed with the idea. It was always the plan to take the girl," said Carievale, Sask., resident Kurt Jedel.
"He was going to drive up to Alaska then take a boat over to Russia, dye his hair and they'd disappear. If that didn't work, he said he'd go up to the bush and live off the grid."
No one has seen the pair in person since mid-November.
In an interview Tuesday with CBC News, the girl's mother, Regina educational assistant Mariecar Jackson, issued an emotional message to her daughter and pleaded for her return.
"Mommy loves you so much. Every day, I pray that some day you'll be home. I love you so much. Mommy is standing strong and some day we will be together," she said.
Mariecar Jackson said all she wants is her daughter to be home safe. She said she "wanted to set aside the issue of vaccination for the time being and focus on the emotional and physical well being" of her daughter.
WATCH | Sask. woman says she'll never stop looking for her child:
Residents of Carievale, a village of 200 people in southeast Saskatchewan, say they grow more afraid for the girl's physical and emotional safety every day.
"That poor woman. It must be hell. And this little girl. This poor little girl," local resident Janice McKenzie said.
McKenzie and other residents interviewed wondered why there had been no amber alert or news release requesting public assistance during the past two months. This week, CBC repeatedly asked RCMP and Regina police about the case.
Regina police said they could not act unless the complainant came to their offices with relevant court orders and other documents. CBC told Regina police Mariecar Jackson's lawyer, Jill Drennan, had already sent them the court orders directing police to act.
Thursday evening, Regina police visited Mariecar Jackson's home to tell her they were now launching a formal investigation, Drennan said.
Saskatoon city hall administration is planning to "refresh" the funding strategy for the proposed $1.2-billion downtown arena district amid a lack of commitments from higher levels of government.
A report of fraud tied to a walleye derby is under investigation after Montreal Lake Cree Nation said a participant allegedly violated derby rules and was asked to leave the fishing area.
An Edmonton architectural firm says it is in talks with the provincial government to potentially redevelop the former Royal Alberta Museum.
Does junior football have a future in Prince George?
People are descending upon the city for the dozens of events and live music performances this week as the Juno Awards are set to take place Sunday at Hamilton's TD Coliseum.
For nearly two decades, Amanda Loewen's world ended where the pavement did.
The notion that home ownership guarantees financial security in old age is being challenged by a recent survey.
The family of Nash Prystie has identified him as the man who died in an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) shooting earlier this month north of Kenora, and is calling for more and quicker help for people with mental health challenges.
Playoff action in the Ontario Hockey League gets underway Thursday night for Guelph and Friday in Kitchener.
UPEI wants its faculty to sign on to an updated version of its sexual assault and discrimination policy, but the union that represents the school's academic staff says it wants the policies to be part of its collective agreement.
In Texas this week for a global energy conference, the federal natural resources minister is proclaiming "Canada is back" and ready to bolster its energy sector and grow exports.
Members of Parliament last year went on the fewest sponsored international trips in the last 15 years, excluding the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontario is running out of time to beef up rules that would crack down on negligent and misbehaving municipal politicians ahead of the next civic election, some experts and opposition critics warn.