Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Jan. 24 Grande Prairie City Council highlights

Jan 24, 2022 | 7:16 PM

Highlights from the January 24 meeting of Grande Prairie city council:

Council approved by a 5-3 vote seeking a lawyer’s advice on the implications of not following provincial guidelines.

This came after a presentation to council where the presenter asked council to enact a bylaw saying it would not follow provincial mandates. The presenter brought up concerns about people not vaccinated against COVID-19 being excluded from city facilities and citing concerns related to the Alberta Bill of Rights and Public Health Act.

Councillor Wendy Bosch made the motion, saying it was not about breaking the law, but asking questions that come from citizens. A motion that specifically mentioned things like the mask mandate and the Restrictions Exemption Program was defeated 8-1.

Councillor Dylan Bressey mentioned during debate on this motion that the Municipal Government Act says a bylaw does not have any effect if there is a conflict with provincial or federal legislation.

Plan Ahead

Why Would You Pre-Plan Your Funeral?

Apr 03, 2024

Dying away from home

What Happens if You Die Away From Home?

Mar 04, 2024

Flag Retiring Ceremony

What Do You Do With Worn-Out Flags?

Feb 01, 2024

Wrongdoing and Reprisal Protection policy

Council heard a report on its Wrongdoing and Reprisal Protection policy. The report says for 2021, there were two reports of wrongdoing by employees with no findings of wrongdoing.

There are two open investigations and no closed ones, Details were not given. Council did approve a motion that would have details about the allegations and any conclusions reached included in future reports.

Priorities list

Council approved its priorities list for 2022.

The top priority is looking at distribution costs for electricity and natural gas. The top five also includes attracting and keeping health care professionals, Highway 40 X, also known as the southwest ring road, and provincial support for industrial attraction.

Other areas council wants to look at include local Court of Queen’s Bench judges, a provincial police force, rent subsidy funding, senior’s home care, and supports for the homeless.

Event Centre Business Case study

Council rejected spending just under $57,000 on an Event Centre Business Case study. A proposal from RC Strategies would have seen this done along with the Recreation and Culture Strategic Plan project. Council voted against this, saying it was the timing more than the idea. Council wants to have its strategic planning session first.