Immunization policy for Red Deer city council drafted in January

Acting City Manager and Manager of Emergency Services, Ken McMullen, wanted to step away from the divisive topic of COVID-19 and began his statement instead by using an analogy relating to the Fire Department.

His fictional example depicted if he was responsible for all fire staff with the duty to set policy for their safety and wellbeing. After research, interviews with experts, and the majority of the public following the same policy, a vegetarian-only diet was implemented on the staff for their wellbeing. His boss can inquire reports on how the new policy is going, but not to review the policy to consider accommodating options for staff’s individual eating habits.

“By asking this, what he’s really doing is asking me to go back on my decision. Questioning whether I explored all of the good options out there. Questioning the integrity of my research, and questioning that I might have missed something,” said McMullen, explaining the importance of following the chain of command for stability.

“You have paid me and put me in the positon to make those decisions. Respectfully boss, you need to trust me to do my job. And that’s what this report is about to say to you,” said McMullen, now introducing his arguments relating to the vaccine proposal.

Although Doerkson’s notice of motion was determined to be out of jurisdiction, Mayor Ken Johnston said it was important to still let the debate carry forward.

A short break was allotted for Doerksen to request administration to prepare a report to council describing the considerations when developing the city’s immunization policy, the challenges faced, compliance rates and potential impacts on service levels. Allowing time to collect this data, the report is scheduled to be presented at the Dec. 6 council meeting, after the Nov. 28 immunization policy deadline on city workers.

Councillor Lawrence Lee voiced concerns with the added workload on staff to prepare the report.

“I will not be supporting this resolution as it is just for a report back on information related to a decision that wasn’t in our realm and that was acted on by our interim city manager,” he said.

Councillor Vesna Higham, instead, referenced emails received by the public demanding transparency.

“I don’t know for example, where is the rationale for requiring employees who work from home to also be subject to the employee immunization program,” she said. “So if I, an elected official, don’t have the answer to that, imagine how our public feels.”

On the other hand, councillor Cindy Jeffries’ contrary notice of motion, proposed council lead by example in adopting a similar vaccination policy to the one applied to City staff, for fairness, arguing vaccines have proven effective in reducing COVID-19 symptoms, and to promptly return to in-person council meetings.

All council members agreed to the notice of motion.

“I don’t want to be someone that requires special treatment,” said councillor Kraymer Barnstable, who stated he would continue to pay for rapid COVID tests at his own expense. “I don’t want that to be on the expense of the taxpayer.”

As Councillor Doerksen has been openly against vaccine mandates, he expressed disappointment at the meeting’s outcome, but will continue to spread his message and debate the policy at the Dec. 6 council meeting.

“In principle, council should not be any different than employees,” he said.

A draft vaccination policy for city council is scheduled to be presented at the end of January.

by Alessia Proietti

Immunization policy for Red Deer city council drafted in January

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