INNISFAIL – Wearing masks is now mandatory for council members and staff at town hall.
Town council passed a motion at its regular meeting on Nov. 23 that all members of council and staff at the administration building must be masked during the current ever increasing risk of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s in consideration of the staff that is on duty. There’s no argument whether there is a benefit or not. It’s a health standard these days, and I think staff has a legitimate reason to be concerned about it,” said Town of Innisfail Mayor Jim Romane who introduced the motion. “It is so hard to remain physical distance sometimes wherever we are walking past each other, so the mask solves that question.”
However, Romane’s motion, which was effective immediately after the vote, did encounter push back.
Coun. Don Harrison wanted to know why the motion just dealt with the administration building. He wanted to know why all other municipal buildings, such as the arena and the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre, were not included in the motion.
“Is there a reason for that? We have staff at the arena and there is not a requirement for masks with people visiting the arena,” said Harrison, who was supported by Coun. Donnie Hill. “Our staff are in the same jeopardy as are the staff here at the administration building, and I think if we are going to do it here for the benefit of council and its members and administration, we should look at all the facilities that we have under our jurisdiction.”
However, Coun. Jean Barclay, who supported Romane’s motion for wearing masks at town hall, noted the province intended to make an announcement on Nov. 24 about new COVID protection measures, and that the town should hear it, along with others before going further.
“For me this is a public health issue and provincial issue. They’re the ones that should be deciding this and shouldn’t necessarily be downloaded to council to make this decision,” said Barclay. “I would feel more comfortable from hearing what comes out of the province and with the meeting on Wednesday (Nov. 25) with regional partners because I think consistency through the region is really important.”
Coun. Gavin Bates agreed with the motion for mandatory masks at town hall but he too wanted to wait for more information before going further, noting there were certain protocols put in place by Hockey Alberta, as well as those by the Innisfail Minor Hockey Association, for use at the arena.
“I am not so sure we are equipped to make that decision without a little more input,” said Bates, who then directed a comment at Coun. Glen Carritt.
“I would remind councillor Carritt that things have changed,” said Bates. “When this thing (COVID) first came out it was all about hand-type transmission. I remember all kinds of discussions and masks weren’t even…and I now I think I do believe it has become pretty well known that it is an airborne transmission problem, probably more than hand transmission.”
Carritt, who was the lone councillor not to wear a mask at last week’s council’s meeting and for the opening of the Nov. 23 meeting, said the issue was not whether masks work, as there are arguments “both ways” that have come from leading provincial and national public health officials.
“My argument is freedom of choice. I don’t believe in mandatory anything,” said Carritt, who put on a mask immediately after council approved Romane’s motion. “I don’t think government has that prerogative but I will say that I agree with councillor Barclay that we go along with Alberta Health Services to wait for that announcement. To wait for that announcement at this point would be prudent.”
On the issue of liability, Todd Becker, the town’s chief administrative officer, told council that while the town is diligently following all protocols and safety guidelines, including proper cleaning and scheduling, to ensure the protection of the public, the town will always be part of any legal conversation. However, he added he believes the town is doing a “great job” but is “never totally immune” to liability.
