Saskatoon eyes COVID-19 bylaw to implement gathering limits
The City of Saskatoon will look at options to enact its own gathering limits after the province rejected a request to implement restrictions.
“The fact that we are the only jurisdiction the doesn’t have gathering size restrictions, even Alberta does, doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t know why the province decided not to act on our letter,” said Mayor Charlie Clark.
Council approved a motion from Clark for city administration to report on creating a bylaw to restrict gathering sizes in Saskatoon. The vote was 7-4.
Clark acknowledged the city would be looking into an idea that would move into a “grey zone” in terms of the city’s jurisdiction.
“I believe we need more information because it does create some uncertainties for sure in terms of jurisdiction,” Clark said.
In September, City Council approved a framework for how the city would respond to COVID-19.
It outlines four color coded levels which would trigger actions depending on the severity of the situation.
The city is currently in the Orange level, which is identified as “high risk.” It includes various measures including physical distancing requirements, staggering shift times and requiring proof of vaccination. It also stipulates a request be made to the province for gathering size limits to be implemented.
The city sent the province a letter requesting gathering size limits in Saskatoon, but the province rejected it saying the vast majority of new cases and hospitalizations are unvaccinated residents who should get vaccinated.
Coun. Troy Davies, who voted against the motion, was concerned it could cause more confusion for the public considering the city just approved a framework a few weeks ago on how council would respond to COVID-19.
“We went through all this, we got our legal advice. And maybe we didn’t get the answer that we were all hoping for from the province. But now, because we didn’t get our answer, were going to back and kind of re-invent the wheel here.”
Coun. Hilary Gough said she was not sure whether any action by the city regarding gathering limits would be feasible but said the city should explore options.
“We are in a crisis and our health care system is in a crisis and we’re hearing from experts that we have access to that action is needed. And so I think it’s incumbent on us to explore all potential actions.”
Coun. Bev Dubois mentioned comments from the city solicitor that no other municipalities in Canada, to her knowledge have passed a bylaw of this type and have had it approved by the provincial government.
“I really do think we’re going down a path where we already know the answer. And we don’t like the answer. I don’t like the answer. But I really don’t think that this is going to change much,” Dubois said.
Saskatoon has been a COVID-19 hotspot over the last several weeks, as active cases across the province topped over 4,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.