Regina city council tables motion on mandatory masks

On Monday, Regina’s city council decided to take a more hands-off approach to masks for the time being.

During a special meeting, council discussed a motion which would have explored the idea of a mandatory mask bylaw. The notice of motion was carried over from a meeting last Wednesday.

The motion would have asked for a report on a mandatory mask bylaw for indoor public spaces that would: Include an overview of the implications of a bylaw; include a grace period of two weeks for compliance; establish protocols for those who can’t wear a mask for medical reasons; assess the cost of providing masks to the public; encourage schools to develop clear policies on mask use; develop a communication strategy; consult with the Saskatchewan Health Authority; and, involve consultation with the provincial and federal government and ask for help with costs.

Coun. Andrew Stevens introduced the motion, pointing out that since it was drafted last month, several things have changed — cases in Regina are down, the province now has the lowest active case rate in Western Canada, and schools in Regina have a more robust plan for reopening.

Stevens said the most important part of the motion is the consultation with the health authority and asking for guidance.

All councillors and Mayor Michael Fougere signed the motion but several of them expressed disagreement with it and any idea of a mandatory masking bylaw at all.

Coun. John Findura said the city needs to respect its citizens and he likes the idea of education about mask-wearing rather than making it mandatory.

“I don’t see any reason for me to even entertain supporting a bylaw,” said Findura.

Coun. Sharron Bryce said she believes people are being responsible in the community and wearing masks when they need to.

“I just don’t think now is the right time to have mandated masks in place. I just feel that we’re not there yet. I think our community has done well with one active case in our community. I don’t see a need for this at this point,” said Bryce.

Coun. Bob Hawkins seemed to be on the other side. He pointed out there are cases in Regina and people can carry the virus without showing symptoms, and we know when physical distancing isn’t possible, there’s a real risk of the spread of COVID-19.

“Whether or not, when and if, that means a bylaw (is needed) we can’t answer today. But we can certainly, as No. 8 in this motion suggests, seek guidance on this,” said Hawkins.

Fougere came out against a bylaw, saying it isn’t something that should be enforced with fines and that it should be voluntary. He and the councillors already have encouraged residents to wear masks in public places.

So Fougere proposed the motion be tabled and instead council should ask city administration to talk to the SHA and the chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, to provide guidance on any implementation of a mask bylaw, and then come back with a report. The referral narrowly passed 6-4.

Afterward, Fougere said council wants to discuss with the SHA and province the conditions under which they would concur that there should be mandatory masking.

“We don’t want to get ahead of the chief medical officer; we have been following his guidelines almost all the time. He is not recommending mandatory masks in public places indoors, so this council is saying, effectively, we don’t need to go there. But if we do go there, what are the terms under which we would have to do that? That’s what the referral motion talks about,” said Fougere.

Fougere explained what council is implying with this is that it won’t make masks mandatory until Shahab says it should — though he also said council reserves the right to make the decision on its own.

At the beginning of the pandemic restrictions, the city tried to implement its own emergency guidelines but had its hand slapped by the provincial government. Fougere said that didn’t factor into this decision; he said he listened to the people of Regina who reached out and he talked with councillors.

“Most of council said we don’t need to have a mandatory mask where you enforce it and have fines. Voluntarily doing this is the way to go,” said Fougere.

Diversity committee passes

City council also unanimously passed a motion to create a diversity, equity, and inclusion advisory committee.

In presenting the motion, Fougere said it represents a discussion that started shortly after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May and the public outrage that followed.

Fougere said the committee would “provide a platform and way for members of the Black community in Regina to have a discussion — a voice — in shaping public policy and practices, to ensure that they’re treated equally, with dignity and respect.”

Fougere said he was approached by members of the city’s Black community, including Black Lives Matter, African Canadian Resources Network, Black Sask, and Indigenous elders and knowledge keepers about the idea. He said the discussions were always respectful, but clear and direct.

According to Fougere, it’s important that it won’t just be council or administration determining the committee’s goals and objectives — there will be direct public consultation.

“This is the beginning of a conversation that has been dealt with in many ways, not just in Regina but across Saskatchewan, across Canada, and clearly around the world,” said Fougere.

He said where they get to and what comes out of the committee will be significant, but wasn’t specific about it, saying they’ll also be “open ended.”

The motion, signed by all the councillors and the mayor, resolves that the city undertake consultations with Black, Indigenous and other visible minorities and organizations, including the LGBTQ+ community. Together they’ll determine the mandate, goals, and objectives of the committee.

It also resolves that the city set best practices for developing the committee, looking at other cities that have similar committees, and that the city consult with visible minorities and new Canadians to make sure they’re involved in the process to make policies.

It also calls for a report on the committee to be prepared for the executive committee and city council as soon as possible.

Stevens asked when “as soon as possible would mean” but there was no hard timeline offered. Fougere just said officials would make it a priority.