By Adam Ophus

Cannot afford an outbreak

Clearwater County won’t be writing premier about easing COVID-19 restrictions

Apr 1, 2021 | 12:55 PM

Clearwater County council chose not to pass Councillor Michelle Swanson’s notice of motion to send a letter to Premier Jason Kenney requesting the immediate easing of COVID-19 public health restrictions.

The motion came after Wheatland County had recently passed a similar one to draft a letter requesting restrictions be eased to help the local economy.

It was brought up that instead of an overall lifting of restrictions the province could instead relax COVID-19 restrictions in specific regions that have not been as hard hit by the virus, like Clearwater County which had 10 active cases as of Wednesday.

Councillor Timothy Hoven believes the county should not be treated the same as urban areas, saying he’s people walking everywhere with masks on feels wrong, and looked more like “hamsters in a cage.”

Councillor Jim Duncan expressed his initial concern that implementing a region by region approach would be difficult to manage, as well as make some municipalities not feel good to be treated differently.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

Apr 04, 2026

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

Councillor Theresa Laing reminded everyone that summer is coming and with it, many visitors travelling through Clearwater County

Swanson wanted to set straight that she was not advocating anti-mask or anti-vaccine. She just wanted what was best for businesses.

The comment was brought up multiple times that from other councillors that they felt the government is doing the best they can and that smaller municipalities should leave those types of large decisions to the professionals.

The Rocky Mountain House hospital has often struggled with a shortage of doctors, and Laing explained that with that fact “we could not afford an outbreak.”

The motion was defeated 5 to 2, with Swanson and Hoven voting in favour.