Saskatoon Transit to end COVID-19 mask requirement
One of the longest-running measures of the pandemic was lifted during Monday's city council meeting.
Ward 3 Coun. David Kirton put forward a motion to end masking rules on city buses.
While the city kept the restriction in place following the province's move to drop mandates earlier this year, drivers were not required to enforce the rule.
"When I drive by a bus or when a bus drives by me, I'm not seeing 97 per cent of the people wearing masks on the buses," Kirton said.
"I don't see that kind of compliance on the bus and I feel like it's still a very heavy burden on our transit operators."
The motion, seconded by Ward 4 Coun. Troy Davies, left the door open for Saskatoon Transit to continue encouraging mask use.
Masks will be provided for those who wish to wear them as well.
Ward 8 Coun. Sarina Gersher, along with Ward 7 Coun. Mairin Loewen and Ward 2 Coun. Hilary Gough voted against the change.
"I can't recall a time where our council has voted against a recommendation that would weaken or provide kind of less risk protection for residents," Gersher said.
She said she wasn't comfortable with removing "the last bit of protection in place on Saskatoon Transit."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.