Ali Howat, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Jasper will no longer require mandatory masks once the province hits stage three of the Open for Summer plan.
This will occur two weeks after 70 per cent of Albertans age 12-plus have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
On June 15, municipal council gave all three readings on the repeal of the temporary compulsory face coverings (indoor spaces) and the municipal face covering mandates in public places bylaw (outdoor).
As of June 15, Jasper has over 69 per cent of people 12 and over who received their first dose of the COVID vaccination 鈥� for all ages, it鈥檚 62.9 per cent.
Coun. Bert Journault made a motion for the first reading for temporary compulsory face covering repeal bylaw.
Coun. Jenna McGrath stated that she will not be voting in favour of repealing the bylaw.
鈥淚 believe that consistency provincially is very important,鈥� McGrath said.
鈥淏ut I feel I have the duty to represent some Jasperites who feel hesitant with removing the face covering bylaw.鈥�
Coun. Paul Butler then stated that he does respect that there is concern within the community, but the bylaw would only repeal when stage three of the reopening began.
With six in favour and one opposed, first reading was carried.
Butler then moved for council to have second reading.
Butler opened debate by stating that even though there is some concern, it鈥檚 important that council take a broad view and do what is best for the community at large.
鈥淲e cannot operate as a bubble; we cannot go on our own here,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he single most important thing to be done is to get vaccinated.鈥�
Coun. Rico Damota said they might want to consider just putting the masking mandate on pause in the case they did have to switch back.
With not much more debate on the matter at hand, the question was then called, and with six in favour and one opposed, the motion for second reading was carried.
Coun. Scott Wilson then made a motion to approve having third reading at the current meeting.
With none opposed, council continued with the third reading of the bylaw.
Mayor Richard Ireland called to question with six in favour and one opposed, and the motion was carried.
Ireland then mentioned that there is nothing that prevents businesses or individuals from continuing to wear masks.
Council then moved to resend the outdoor bylaw too once stage three was reached.
Other highlights
Council gave third reading to the code of conduct for elected officials bylaw along with the third reading for rotation of ballots bylaw 2021.
With councillors giving no further debate on either, both were carried with none opposed.
Council then welcomed the new fire chief, Mathew Conte, to the community.
An update was also given on Connaught offsite services project update by John Greathead, director of operations for the municipality.
The project will provide utility services to future affordable housing.
Greathead said one of the biggest risks of the project is the timeline and trying to get it done before the frost hits.
The project will affect traffic this summer, but administration is working to make sure there will be at least two exits in and out of town at all times.
They had decided to issue an RFP for a prime contractor for this contract.
Twenty-five firms had expressed interest, and administration narrowed it down to three proposals that will be reviewed.
Council will now face the decision next meeting on which contractor they would like to award the work to.
