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Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff
By Shaun Penner
Bylaw C-1426

City committee moves final call on Mandatory Mask Bylaw end date back to council

Jan 19, 2021 | 12:53 PM

A City of Grande Prairie standing committee has forwarded the final decision on how to move forward with the Temporary Mandatory Face Covering Bylaw (C-1426) to the next scheduled city council meeting.

The bylaw, which was triggered into force on October 26, 2020 with an expiry date of January 31, 2021, makes it compulsory to wear a mask, or face covering, in all indoor public spaces within the city.

Discussion was had at the Protective and Social Services meeting Tuesday morning, where it was voted to recommend council amend the bylaw to strike the section which carries the end date of January 31 and replace it with verbiage requiring council to discuss it every two months at a regular City Council meeting.

The motion was made by Councillor Eunice Friesen, who wanted to ensure all of City Council were a part of the discussion before any decision is made.

The motion was made after some councillors discussed the possibility of allowing the bylaw to lapse, since the provincial government implemented its own mandatory masking order as part of the public health regulations implemented back in early December.

“I don’t think, for any of us (councillors) that are not on this committee, would appreciate that level of decision being made at this committee,” said Friesen.

Though some members spoke in favour of allowing the bylaw to lapse, one suggestion brought forward by Councillor Chris Thiessen suggested the bylaw should be kept in force alongside the provincial order and work in concert.

This is because the fines, one of which has not yet been levied in the city according to Protective and Social Services Director Chris Manuel, can either be issued under the current city bylaw or under the provincial health order.

The city bylaw carries a fine of $100 for those individuals found in non-compliance. The provincial fine carries a minimum levy of $1200.

Thiessen suggested this could allow for more serious offences to be punished with a heavier fine, while smaller infractions can be issued the municipal-level penalty, shoudl it be required.

“If it’s a simple you’re not wearing your mask… sorry, here’s a $100 ticket,” said Thiessen. “But if you’re being belligerent and rude and you refuse to leave the store, and you’re threatening violence or whatever, well you’re going to get the provincial ticket.”

Councillor Dylan Bressey added that should council, on Monday, vote to allow the bylaw to lapse after the 31st, that council clearly message to the public that the decision was not made as a way of saying council does not think public health measures are necessary.

“I really hope that if we allow this to lapse, that council still takes action to communicate clearly that COVID still is a risk in our community, it still is a risk to many of our residents, and we still take protection measures very seriously.”

Committee was advised that should Bylaw C-1426 lapse, it would essentially remain “stagnant” and could be brought back into force by council at a later date.

by Shaun Penner