Saskatoon could drop COVID-19 vaccine requirements at municipal locations
If the province moves to relax public health measures, the City of Saskatoon could follow suit.
Premier Scott Moe has signalled that changes could soon be coming to Saskatchewan's public health order which requires mask-wearing in public places and proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result in some settings.
Moe and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab are scheduled to appear at a news conference in Regina Tuesday morning.
However, it's not known if any announcements regarding COVID-19 health measures are planned.
While the future of the public health order — set to expire Feb. 28 — is up in the air, city administration is recommending an adjusted approach municipally if the measures lift.
“The lifting of the public health orders does not mean there is no longer a risk of COVID-19 in Saskatoon, but it shifts the responsibility for management of this risk from the provincial government to individuals, businesses, organizations, and municipalities,” Pamela Goulden-McLeod, the city's Emergency Management Organization director said in a news release.
In a report to city council, administration is recommending that councillors should scrap the city's proof of vaccination requirements for city facilities.
The report also recommends an end to masking requirements on city buses. However, masks would still be recommended.
The report does suggest masking requirements remain in place at city facilities.
Measures such as enhanced cleaning, physical distancing and a requirement to avoid city facilities if symptomatic may remain in place.
"The city will continue its focus on educating and informing the public rather than enforcing the use of face masks within city-owned facilities and services,” Goulden-McLeod said.
The recommendations would require council approval to move forward. A special meeting of council is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Correction
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the report recommends an end to masking requirements at city facilities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'There is no electricity': Canadian travellers in Cuba urge caution in hurricane's wake
Cuba's power grid was knocked out by Hurricane Rafael, which ripped across the country as a Category 3 storm. In western Cuba, it toppled buildings and pushed 50,000 people to find shelter elsewhere. Cubans were already enduring rolling blackouts due to energy shortages.
Sparks fly as MPs question minister on pension implications of proposed election date change
Sparks flew at a parliamentary committee Thursday as MPs questioned Canada's democratic institutions minister about a widely opposed provision in electoral reform legislation that seeks to delay the next fixed election date by one week.
Three charged in One Direction singer Liam Payne's death
Three people have been charged in relation to One Direction singer Liam Payne's death in a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month, Argentine authorities said on Thursday.
America votes: How celebrities are reacting to Trump's decisive victory
Celebrities from Hulk Hogan to Ariana Grande are sharing their reactions to the U.S. election, which will see Donald Trump return to the White House.
Biden delivers remarks following Trump's win
U.S. President Joe Biden delivered remarks to the nation Thursday in what was his first appearance on camera following Donald Trump’s decisive victory over Kamala Harris.
RCMP already 'on high alert' for potential wave of migrants after Trump election
Canada's federal police force has been preparing for months on a contingency plan for a potential massive influx of migrants across the border following Trump's promise of 'mass deportations' of millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
Canadian arrested in Florida for allegedly possessing child sex abuse content
A 25-year-old Canadian man was arrested in Florida last weekend after police say he was caught with child sex abuse content.
3 Winnipeg police officers charged with breach of trust, theft
Three members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been charged with breach of trust, obstruction of justice and theft following a lengthy investigation
PM Trudeau revives Canada-U.S. relations cabinet committee after Trump win
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reviving a special cabinet committee dedicated to Canada-U.S. relations, following Republican Donald Trump's re-election.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Regina
-
Change-room ban policy no longer top priority for Sask. gov't, premier says
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says a change-room ban policy he previously touted as his first order of business if re-elected is no longer a top priority.
-
Sask. premier announces all new cabinet ministers following election win
The Saskatchewan Party will enter government with an all new 16-member cabinet – with no minister holding the portfolios they had prior to election day.
-
Police and fire crews respond after truck hit by train in Weyburn
Emergency crews responded to a collision between a truck and a train in Weyburn on Wednesday.
Winnipeg
-
3 Winnipeg police officers charged with breach of trust, theft
Three members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been charged with breach of trust, obstruction of justice and theft following a lengthy investigation
-
'A tragedy': Judge urges northern Manitoba sobering shelter after police cell death
A judge is urging the Manitoba government to look at establishing a safe sobering centre in a northern community to prevent in-custody deaths of people detained due to intoxication.
-
Meth, weed found in box of chocolates donated to Brandon food hamper program
A box of chocolates donated to a Brandon non-profit helping vulnerable people was found to have marijuana and meth inside.
Edmonton
-
Alberta forestry minister says wolverine, lynx trapping limits lifted to gather data
Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen says the decision to lift limits on trapping for animals like wolverines is being done to get more data on what to do with them.
-
'Highly sophisticated' fentanyl 'superlab' shut down near Valleyview: ALERT
A fentanyl "superlab" near Valleyview has been shut down.
-
Local running back Chuba Hubbard signs 4-year extension with Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers rewarded running back Chuba Hubbard with a four-year contract extension on Thursday that will keep him with the team through the 2028 season.
Calgary
-
School bus involved in Calgary collision with car on Crowchild
A school bus collided with a car Thursday at the intersection of Crowchild Trail and Glenmore Trail.
-
Gord Bamford is asking Calgarians for help finding his stolen guitar and hat
Canadian country music star Gord Bamford is asking Calgarians to keep an eye out for several items that were stolen from his truck this week, including one of his guitars.
-
Canmore wildlife and landscape defender Karsten Heurer dies peacefully at 56
Canmore conservationist Karsten Heuer, who was a biologist, park ranger, author and activist, has died.
Lethbridge
-
Avalanche control testing underway in Rogers Pass
Parks Canada has closed the east Rogers Pass area in British Columbia for avalanche control testing, saying it will cause Trans-Canada Highway closures too.
-
Hurricanes prevail 7-6 over Tigers in wild one in Lethbridge
The Lethbridge Hurricanes turned a one-night homestand into a wild one-goal victory Wednesday night, defeating the Medicine Hat Tigers 7-6.
-
Lethbridge Polytechnic opens its doors to the community with open house
Lethbridge Polytechnic is opening its doors this week to prospective students and their families.
Toronto
-
Richmond Hill father charged with murder in death of his seven-week-old infant
A father has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his weeks-old baby in Richmond Hill.
-
Video shows suspect shooting man inside Markham, Ont. garage
Police have released video footage showing a suspect shooting a man inside a Markham garage in broad daylight on Wednesday afternoon.
-
Group frustrated over Danforth-Kingston project delays that could bring major bike lane, transit upgrades
Organizers with a community group in Toronto’s east end are concerned a potentially big project – with bike lane and streetscape upgrades – could be collecting dust and it's not clear if the holdup may be connected to the Ford government's proposed restrictions on municipalities.
Ottawa
-
Drugs and weapons seized, multiple arrests after police operation at Guertin arena in Gatineau, Que.
Fifteen people have been arrested during a police operation outside the Robert Guertin Centre in Gatineau, Que., where a homeless encampment has been located for months.
-
Residents raise a stink about garbage heap on Ottawa street
A growing pile of garbage along Old Innes Road in Ottawa's east end has become an unsightly and smelly mess for local business owners who say they are tired of seeing the area used as an illegal dumping ground.
-
Eastern Ontario suspect posing as government worker, asking for money: OPP
An eastern Ontario suspect has been contacting residents, by phone, text or email, posing as a government worker and asking for large amounts of money transfer through Bitcoin, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Montreal
-
Man, 37, seriously injured at workplace accident in Pointe-Claire
A 37-year-old man was seriously injured in a workplace accident in the West Island on Thursday.
-
Health minister wants all Quebecers to have access to a health professional by 2026
The Quebec government says it wants every Quebecer to have access to a health professional by the summer of 2026 — just before the next provincial election.
-
RCMP already 'on high alert' for potential wave of migrants after Trump election
Canada's federal police force has been preparing for months on a contingency plan for a potential massive influx of migrants across the border following Trump's promise of 'mass deportations' of millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
Vancouver
-
B.C. father sentenced for impaired driving crash that killed 7-year-old son
A B.C. man who crashed his car when he was high on meth, causing the death of his seven-year-old son and injuring his two other children and their mother, has been sentenced to six years in prison and banned from driving for 35 years.
-
Young man sentenced for 2021 killing of Vinay Aujla in South Vancouver
Three years after the violent altercation in South Vancouver that killed 19-year-old Vinay Aujla, a young man has been sentenced for manslaughter.
-
Motorcyclist dies after attempted traffic stop in Vancouver, IIO called in
A 21-year-old man died after crashing his motorcycle into a tree in East Vancouver Wednesday night.
Kelowna
-
Child found 'small razor blade' in Halloween candy in Kamloops, B.C., RCMP say
Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.
-
Pickup truck may be linked to suspicious deaths, RCMP say 2 years after bodies found in B.C. park
More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.
-
B.C. homeowner astounded someone managed to steal one of his prized giant pumpkins
Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. father sentenced for impaired driving crash that killed 7-year-old son
A B.C. man who crashed his car when he was high on meth, causing the death of his seven-year-old son and injuring his two other children and their mother, has been sentenced to six years in prison and banned from driving for 35 years.
-
Parks Canada halts controversial deer cull on B.C. island, seeks 'reimagined solution'
Federal officials have spared the lives of the remaining invasive deer on a small British Columbia island, pausing the final phase of their plan to eradicate the animals in the eleventh hour.
-
Expert says silence in B.C. port lockout unusual while retailers call for urgency
Canadian retailers say their frustration is growing with the lack of movement to resolve disruptions at Canada's two largest ports, including silence surrounding a lockout at British Columbia ports that is into its fourth day.
London
-
'I didn't feel safe': witness saw two masked men at bush party, testimony continues in fatal shooting
In testimony at the London courthouse today, Jonathan Lopez said that all was going well on the night of July 30, 2021 when he and some friends gathered at a bush party off of Pack Road in the southwest end of the city.
-
Hanover boil water advisory expected to last until at least Friday
It’s bottled and boiled water at Ashanti Coffee in Hanover today, following an unexpected town-wide boil water advisory.
-
Windsor driver charged in Brooke-Alvinston collision
A Windsor driver has been charged following a collision in Brooke-Alvinston.
Kitchener
-
Police searching for stabbing suspect in Kitchener, man left with serious injuries
Police say emergency services responded to an apartment building on Garment Street around 2:40 a.m. for a report of a stabbing.
-
Hamilton police investigating possible arson after barn fire near Cambridge
Police are investigating a barn fire that happened Wednesday just outside of Cambridge.
-
WRDSB appeal dismissed in defamation lawsuit by former teacher
The Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) in an attempt to prevent a former teacher’s defamation lawsuit from proceeding to trial.
Northern Ontario
-
Various popular brands of bread and buns have been recalled in Canada
Dozens of popular brands of bread have been recalled in Canada after pieces of metal were discovered in some of the products.
-
Pedestrian in the Sault charged following collision with a vehicle Thursday morning
A pedestrian trying to cross Great Northern Road was hit by a vehicle early Thursday morning in Sault Ste. Marie.
-
Details released of dramatic police shootout with murder suspect near Timmins, Ont.
Ontario's Special Investigation Unit has cleared police actions in a shootout with a murder suspect last June that left one police officer with bullet wounds to his neck.
Atlantic
-
BREAKING NEWSBREAKING NEWS Damaged crane in Dartmouth, N.S. prompts closure of Macdonald Bridge, neighbourhood evacuation
Crews are on the scene of a damaged crane in Dartmouth, N.S., Thursday afternoon.
-
Yarmouth deaths ruled murder-suicide, intimate partner violence; third case in N.S. in 3 weeks
For the third time in less than a month, the Nova Scotia RCMP has ruled two suspicious deaths a case of murder-suicide resulting from intimate partner violence.
-
'There was no stopping this baby from coming': Woman gives birth while aboard Newfoundland ferry
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland beach blobs are plastic pollution, but source remains unknown: scientist
A Memorial University scientist says the mysterious white blobs washing up on Newfoundland beaches are actually gobs of plastic -- and they need to be cleaned up.
-
Teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador say violence is on the rise, averaging 22 incidents per school day
School staff are being struck more often, students are fighting more frequently, and police are increasingly being called to school grounds, according to data compiled and released this week by the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador cautioned about growing debt as province touts success
Newfoundland and Labrador's auditor general has issued a warning about the province's financial position as the government announced it would finish the 2024-25 fiscal year with a higher-than-expected deficit.
