Dr. Erin Hamilton, a North Battleford Family Physician, bottom centre, and Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu, SHA northern medical health officer, bottom right, shown at council's online meeting Monday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

COVID-19 protocols

City hears from opposing sides on new COVID policy

Nov 23, 2021 | 7:00 AM

North Battleford city council once again looked at the city’s new enhanced COVID-19 restrictions, for the public entering a number of city-owned facilities starting at the end of the month.

The policy previously approved requires people show proof of double vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result within the previous 72 hours, for those eligible to be vaccinated, excluding those under 12 years of age, effective Nov. 30.

During Monday’s council meeting Dr. Erin Hamilton, a North Battleford Family Physician, and Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu, Saskatchewan Health Authority northern medical health officer, discussed the benefits of having an added layer of protection against COVID-19 for the community.

From the opposing side, Heidi Sulatisky, an Edam resident who also visits the city’s recreation facilities, expressed her concerns about the new COVID-19 mandates at city-owned facilities. She said some hockey teams will simply opt out of playing at North Battleford facilities and just play in Battleford instead. Sulatisky also said that essentially forcing people to get vaccinated to enter city facilities is unconstitutional.

Coun. Kelli Hawtin spoke up about her concerns that amateur sports may be negatively impacted by the city’s new policy. She said the city also needs to be cognizant of how their decisions will affect youth and mental health.

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Following the presentations by the delegations, Hawtin proposed an amendment to the city’s new COVID-19 policy passed at its last meeting, to instead follow only the provincial health orders during the rest of the pandemic.

Coun. Kent Lindgren took issue with this amendment saying it completely changes the fundamental principle behind the city’s new policy. “This isn’t just an amendment; this is going against keeping our community safe at a higher level,” he said.

In a recorded vote, Mayor David Gillan, Hawtin and Coun. Ross MacAngus voted in favour, with Lindgren, Coun. Len Taylor and Coun. Bill Ironstand opposed. Coun. Greg Lightfoot abstained during the vote, which ultimately is counted as a vote against, so the amendment ended up being defeated.

Council then voted on some other amendments to the original policy.

One resolution proposed exempting the new policy for health-care related rentals. The amendment was carried, with the majority of council voting in favour, with the exception of Hawtin who abstained in the vote.

Another proposal to exempt rentals for religious and worship service was also carried. Again, the majority of council voted in favour, with the exception of Hawtin who abstained.

For a third resolution, council looked at a proposed amendment to exempt those 18 years of age and under. All of council voted in favour of this proposal. Council agreed that this would comply with Saskatchewan Education Minister Dustin Duncan’s Nov. 17 directive to school divisions that under the Education Act they can’t bar unvaccinated students from attending extracurricular activities.

Duncan said in his letter the decision comes after consultation with Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, who supports the approach.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow