Red Deer city council passes mask wearing bylaw, takes effect Nov. 30

Council also voted 5-4 to scrap an amendment making the bylaw only applicable to buildings with a capacity of 15 patrons or more.

Councillor Frank Wong introduced a reconsideration, which required new information to be presented, stating that the bylaw would become somewhat pointless because of how many small businesses there are.

Councillor Ken Johnston agreed, alluding to the province’s stated struggles with contact tracing only becoming public knowledge in the days since council passed first and second reading of the face coverings bylaw last Monday.

“I wait with optimism for our province to say a benchmark of 1,500 cases [daily] is not something to be proud of,” Johnston said. “This virus must be brought to its knees. Let us make that clear to our community.”

“We’ve heard a lot about rights, but we can’t talk about rights without acknowledging our responsibilities,” said Councillor Lawrence Lee. “That includes keeping our community safe, together and understanding each other. That is what freedom means in a true democracy.”

Lee went on to say, “You’re either in or you’re out. You either subscribe to this pandemic or you don’t.”

Councillor Michael Dawe, along with others, again expressed dismay at the division the issue has caused in the community, and went on to speak in favour of the bylaw.

“I’m not arguing a mask bylaw is going to solve things. Virtually no one is saying that,” he said. “We’re talking about it as one of a number of measures which will hopefully slow down the rapid acceleration of the virus.”

Dawe also noted claims that businesses will have to shut down if a mask bylaw is in place, but added that he believes it far more likely that businesses will close if another lockdown is needed because COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Buchanan, meantime, said he recently spoke to a friend who is in the medical system who claims many people within the system are being muzzled, though he did not clarify whom.

“I also recently met with a small businessman and he said this bylaw is not friendly for them. I think the province needs to step up. I’m not a doctor, nor am I a scientist,” Buchanan remarked. “I’m not anti-mask, not by a long shot. I supported this at first and second reading, I just won’t at third.”

Handley said she supports and will continue to encourage mask use, but wasn’t ready to vote in favour of mandating it.

Mayor Tara Veer, who voted earlier to keep the 15-patron amendment in place, recalled five months ago when Red Deer’s cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions were some of the lowest in Alberta.

She said council couldn’t rationalize a mask bylaw – except for on transit — at the time for that reason.

“We’re now in a very different time with new information. We have escalating cases in the city, region and most certainly in the province, and it’s not just the number, but the rate of those cases and hospitalizations which we have to be mindful of,” she said.

Veer noted the likelihood of large crowds shopping ahead of the holidays, and the importance of protecting capacity at Red Deer Regional Hospital.

“We’re doing the best we can with the information we have at this time.”

Earlier in the meeting, Lee moved to table third reading until Dec. 7 in order to allow the province to have its say on Tuesday. That was voted down 7-2 and talks proceeded.

City administration made clear that should the province introduce a province-wide mask wearing mandate as early as Tuesday, the City’s bylaw will remain, but will be superseded by provincial regulations.

There are a number of exceptions to the bylaw, including for children under nine, persons unable to use one safely or due to an underlying medical condition, persons consuming food, persons engaging in an athletic or fitness activity or heavy labour, persons who are caregivers where a mask would hinder the ability to provide care, and persons receiving a services related to the facial region.

It also does not apply to schools, hospitals and healthcare facilities and child care facilities subject to provincial jurisdiction.

It does apply to public vehicles, including taxis or any others requiring a fee for service.

Last week, council approved a separate bylaw making face coverings mandatory in all civic facilities.

The wearing of face coverings on Red Deer Transit has been mandatory since August. That bylaw was also amended to align its sunset clause, which was Dec. 31, with the two new ones (March 1).

More on the newly passed bylaws can be found here.

Several dozen people turned out to City Hall Park Monday afternoon to rally against council’s masks debate.

Several RCMP and Peace Officers watched over the group as some carried signs reading “Let’s have some truth,” “City council are not health experts,” and “Freedom matters, no forced masks.”

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Red Deer city council passes mask wearing bylaw, takes effect Nov. 30

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