Edmonton city council repeals mask bylaw but pitches new one

People in Edmonton are no longer required to wear masks in indoor public places, after city council agreed Tuesday to repeal the face-covering bylaw.

After nearly four hours of debate duringa special meeting, council voted 8-5 to rescind the bylaw,one week afterthe province lifted itsmask requirement.

The majority of councillorssaid they still support the measurebut said that theyfelt backed into a corner by the province.

On Tuesday, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver introduced Bill 4 to amend the Municipal Government Act, which would prevent municipalities from enforcing their own public health measures.

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"Our hands are tied by this province," Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said during the meeting. "We are kids, treated like kids by the province."

The legislature must still debate the proposed amendments in Bill 4 before it's passed.

New bylaws proposed

Although municipalities wouldn't be able to simply pass their own health restrictions, Bill 4 would allowa municipality to submit a bylaw to the chief medical officer of healthfor review.

After council voted to repeal the current bylaw, Coun. Andrew Knack proposed the city create a new bylaw, similar to the onecouncil rescinded, to present to the province.

"I think it'svery important for us totake this one final step," Knack said."I still feel strongly about that, about having it in all indoor places, as noted by many other members of council."

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Coun. Ashley Salvadorsuggestedthe city draft a different bylaw, focusing on keeping masks mandatory on public transit and at city-owned facilities, as the Bill 4 states it wouldn't apply to"propertyowned or leased and operated by a municipality."

The province currently requires masks on public transit, but that measure will be lifted when it enters Step 3 of the plan to ease COVID-19 health restrictions.

"I think we heard fairly clearly that folks who are using transit really appreciate having that additional protection given the close quarters," Salvador said.

"So regardless of whether the province decides to change that measure next week, in two weeks, I think having that in place for Edmontonians is an important step."

Council agreed to put both of them in motion,with administration expected to return March14 with the new draft bylaws.

Coun. Erin Rutherford said the city should retain its own rules.

"I am really here to make a decision based on integrity, courage and public health," she said. "I won't back down to political pressure."

Confusion at city facilities

During the meeting, city managers recommended council rescind the face-covering bylaw.

Catrin Owen, deputy manager of communications and engagement, said staff at city facilities have reported confusion from patrons.

Although90 per cent ofpatrons at rec centres and librariesare wearing masks, a few are not and some are showing aggressive behaviour, Owen said.

"There have been a number of incidents of non-compliance, including yelling and swearing," Owen told council.

While staff offer patrons masks, not everyone will wear one.

"If patrons refuse they're permitted to enter the facility in order to not escalate the situation," Owen said.

Adam Laughlin, manager of integrated infrastructure services, saidfeedback from the city's business improvement areas indicated most peoplewanted the city to lift the requirement.

Many businesses are worried thata municipal mandate puts significant burden on businesses, without provincial backing, Laughlinsaid.