City Council's vote regarding masking at select facilities brought out strong feelings amongst council members. (Screenshot/City of North Battleford)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Moving forward

Liability, enforcement among concerns during City masks vote

Feb 24, 2022 | 5:00 AM

The debate over continuing mask restrictions was a spirited one at North Battleford City Council, but moving forward, both Council and Administration will be following the province’s lead.

The 5-2 vote that defeated a motion to extend mask requirements at specific City facilities comes just a week from Saskatchewan’s current mandate expiration, as all restrictions in the province are lifted in segments.

Coun. Bill Ironstand, who brought forward the motion, argued that keeping the rule in place through March was a necessary step, citing the continuing risk to the public, the stress on health care and the ability of masks, while not 100 per cent, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“Right now our waste water is up, our hospitals are over-capacity,” he said. “Experts agree that any mask are better than no mask, as it is transported by droplets.”

“COVID has not gone away, it’s still here and as bad as it ever was. We need to do things like this for our neighbours, family members and friends. For those who can’t get vaccinated and for the immunocompromised and vulnerable.”

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Ironstand credited the Dekker Centre for implementing a temporary mask mandate until April 22. In a Facebook post, the Centre highlighted the proximity of people while attending events in the facility as the prime reason. They also pledged to review the policy and make changes as needed.

The Dekker Centre has announced it’s own mask mandate, while residents can utilize facilities like the Field House and Aquatic Centre without a mask on Feb. 28. (file/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Coun. Kent Lindgren was the other strongest voice for the motion on Tuesday, citing an increase in deaths in recent weeks.

“Wearing a mask isn’t pleasant, but it’s still warranted,” he said.

Prior to the vote, when it was apparent the motion wasn’t likely to pass, Ironstand expressed his disappointment.

“To say I’m discouraged by this is an understatement,” he said. “I throw my hands up.”

Health policy, enforcement among reasons for vote against

Coun. Kelli Hawtin said she opposed the motion for several reasons, including her belief that this type of decision is a provincial one.

“I’ve continued to indicate all along that health policy is not one our council or administration is equipped to advise in,” she said. “There’s a reason it’s under the provincial mandate and I’m a strong believer for it to remain there.”

Hawtin also mentioned multiple provinces lifting their mandates, concerns for volunteers who would have to enforce the rules and the lack of approval for the motion amongst residents who’ve reached out to her.

“The feedback I’ve received for community support for continuing a masking mandate is very low,” she said. “I haven’t heard from many people in our voting community who want to continue with this.”

While Coun. Taylor supported the reasons given by Ironstand, he said that enforcement would be an issue, a view shared by other council members and administration. City Manager Randy Patrick weighed in on the logistics of enforcement, stating that the only recourse would be asking people to leave facilities and then call the RCMP to arrest them for trespassing.

“At hockey games, people are sitting with a drink in their hand and saying they’re drinking, how do we go about questioning it?” he said. “I don’t want to underplay it, we [would] be challenged.”

“The ones that don’t want to wear a mask aren’t going to and we’re going to have a heck of a time enforcing it,” Coun. Ross MacAngus added, while also citing the option for everyone to still wear a mask if they chose to.

Legal protections

Another concern brought against the motion from Mayor David Gillan was over the potential for liability. He said the City is uncharted waters on this point, given that there’s no longer legal protection from the province if they institute their own mask mandate.

“I think we have to be very careful in that regard and can’t minimize that risk,” he said.

Gillan added that he appreciates there’s risk, but given the cost versus the benefit, he couldn’t get to a point where the benefits equate the cost.

“I’d rather us be a mask friendly organization and have people make those decisions for themselves,” he said.

The province is also lifting mandatory self-isolation on Feb. 28.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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