(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

BUCK BUCHANAN

Red Deer councillor apologizes for insensitive COVID-19 remarks

Mar 22, 2020 | 5:44 PM

A Red Deer city councillor has apologized after making what he now says were “insensitive” remarks about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buck Buchanan issued the apology Friday in a post to his Facebook page.

“I would like to personally apologize for public statements I recently made suggesting the personal measures I am taking related to social distancing that are in opposition to those made by the Alberta Medical Officer of Health and other Emergency Management bodies,” Buchanan stated.

“In hindsight, I realize these comments were insensitive to the many employees, businesses, essential service workers and citizens who are doing everything they can to isolate, social distance and support in the efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Red Deer and Alberta.”

Buchanan, who is in Arizona where he attended a family wedding, said that despite his initial comments he is social distancing and will self-isolate upon his return to Canada.

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“I fully intend to self-isolate, follow health protocols, and support all recommended efforts to help prevent the spread.”

In a newspaper interview earlier this week, Buchanan said he was “pretty much” self-isolating in Arizona as his way of dealing with the pandemic. Buchanan also said he was in no rush to come home and look at snow when he could stay in Arizona instead.

City Manager Alan Seabrooke said that following those remarks there was a conversation between him, Buchanan, and Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer.

“We decided at that point that it was appropriate that he address some of the comments so he could clarify and address the public,” Seabrooke told rdnewsNOW.

“We do expect that all of our residents, staff and councillors will abide by the directions that come from the medical officer of health. We obviously think that’s important, and we take Buck’s comments well.”

Red Deer city council will continue meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic, but will do so electronically and with shortened agendas. The next scheduled meeting is March 30.