A mask mandate for public indoor spaces in Regina is not in the cards at this time.
City council chose not to pass a motion that would have made masks mandatory during a special council meeting on Monday afternoon at city hall. The debate was the last item from the August 26 regular council meeting agenda.
Instead, Mayor Michael Fougere tabled a motion to have city administration seek consultation from the Saskatchewan Health Authority and chief medical health officer regarding the terms in which they should have a mask bylaw in the future. A report would then be completed based on recommendations from experts and be presented to council when a decision would be made.
Fougere said the reason behind the different proposal was because he and other councillors feel the city is in a different position compared to a month and a half ago when the motion was initially drafted.
“Most of council said we do not need a mask mandate where you enforce it and have fines,” said the mayor following the meeting. “Voluntarily doing this is the way to go and continuing to educate people to say you should be wearing masks.”
The initial motion from Stevens would not only have made masks mandatory if passed, but would have had fines in place for citizens not following the bylaw. While Fougere and a few councillors felt more education for the public is the right avenue to follow for now, others wanted to see more action.
Coun. Findura is continuing with the education theme. Said he wears a mask and believes in them, but reiterates that a bylaw “won’t solve it all.”
“We need to work together and help each other to educate one another. I will not support any kind of bylaw.”#yqrcc
— Moises Canales (@MoisesCanalesJr) August 31, 2020
Coun. Hawkins suggests to say there is a low chance of contracting the virus is not grasping reality. He admits he’s more cautious and a “little concerned” about the comments being said by other councillors today. #yqrcc
— Moises Canales (@MoisesCanalesJr) August 31, 2020
Coun. O’Donnell: I see no harm in being prepared. It makes sense to me.#yqrcc
— Moises Canales (@MoisesCanalesJr) August 31, 2020
“We don’t want to get ahead of the chief medical health officer. We have been following his guidelines almost all the time,” said Fougere.
Despite differing opinions from councillors during the debate, council voted 6-4 in favour of Fougere’s tabled motion. Fougere added that the report from administration does not have a timeline at this time.
There are still some places where masks are mandatory within the city. Select businesses have made masks compulsory upon entering their space, while masks are now required for passengers on Regina city buses and paratransit starting August 31.
