Edmonton city council voted down a face mask bylaw for city-owned facilities and vehicles, in favour of a temporary mask bylaw for transit riders..The transit mask bylaw will extend to buses, LRTs, and transit stations and will be rescinded in the province’s Step 3 of its reopening plan..“Face masks on transit and transit spaces, such as transit centres and LRT platforms, continue to be required after a bylaw was passed earlier today by Edmonton City Council. The decision aligns with the city’s rules with the mandatory mask requirements put in place by the Government of Alberta to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said a city news release..Councillors who wanted continued mask mandate for city facilities were Michael Janz, Ashley Salvador, Andrew Knack, Jo-Anne Wright, and Anne Stevenson..In council discussions, City Manager Andre Corbould said enforcement of a city-owned facility bylaw would unfairly fall to front-line staff. He also told council, “the context has changed. You’re now the only entity in the entire province that that is thinking about masks in public facilities.”.Multiple councillors expressed concerns about “bullies” and people who act “aggressively” against mask mandates. Some said they would continue to wear their mask..Among concerns raised, Janz wanted reassurance the mandatory masking bylaw could be quickly reinstated in response to a “sixth wave.”.The city said it does not have the legal authority to enforce remaining provincial public health orders and encouraged Edmontonians to report masking complaints to Alberta Health Services (AHS) public health inspectors..“The bylaw takes effect immediately and will end [when] the chief medical officer of health rescinds their order requiring face masks be worn on public transit.”.Public health measures are being lifted in three steps. Alberta entered Step 2 on March 1. The timeline for Step 3 is yet to be determined and depends on hospitalization rates continuing to trend downward..The Alberta government currently requires masking on public transit, at AHS-operated and contracted facilities, and all continuing care settings. These are anticipated to be lifted for Step 3, as well as the mandatory isolation requirements for people who have COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive..The province introduced legislation earlier this month to compel the city to end its face covering bylaw with amendments to the Municipal Government Act. The city promptly repealed its face covering bylaw the same day..Amber Gosselin is a Western Standard reporter..agosselin@westernstandardonline.com
