Vegreville Town Council Passes Mandatory Face Coverings Bylaw
Michelle Pinon
News Advertiser
Starting November 30 people in Vegreville will have to wear face coverings in indoor public places and public vehicles.
Council held a special meeting Nov. 25 to deal with the emergent issue after the province introduced new mandatory health measures November 24.
Mayor Tim MacPhee said he called the meeting in light of those announcements and the fact he personally felt he could not wait any longer in making a decision.
After first reading of the bylaw was passed, each councillor was given the opportunity to speak on the issue and the legislation that was before them. Even though Councillor Tina Warawa and Councillor Dave Berry were not in favour of the bylaw they allowed third reading which gives unanimous consent to proceed to third and final reading. They vote was 3-2 in favour of the bylaw.
Under the bylaw face coverings will be mandatory in public places, which means any property, whether publicly or privately owned, to which members of the public have access as of right or by express or implied invitation, whether on payment of any fee or not.
It also applies to public vehicle which is defined as a bus, taxi, or other vehicle that is used to transport members of the public for a fee.
The bylaw will begin Nov. 30 and remain in place until February 28, 2021. In terms of enforcement, if a Peace Officer believes that a person has contravened any provision of the bylaw, they may issue a violation ticket in accordance with the Provincial Offences Procedure Act. The violation ticket may specify the fine amount established in the bylaw or require a person to appear in court without the alternative of making a voluntary payment.
Failure to wear a face covering where required has a specified penalty of $100 and failure to display prescribed signage has a specified penalty of $200.
In terms of enforcement, if a Peace Officer believes that a person has contravened any provision of the bylaw, they may issue a violation ticket in accordance with the Provincial Offences Procedure Act. The violation ticket may specify the fine amount established in the bylaw or require a person to appear in court without the alternative of making a voluntary payment.
Failure to wear a face covering where required has a specified penalty of $100 and failure to display prescribed signage has a specified penalty of $200.
The full version of the article will be published in the December 2 edition of the Vegreville News Advertiser.
