'I'm still concerned': Edmonton council votes down new mask bylaw for city buildings

Edmontonians will not have to start masking up in more places after a new bylaw failed at city hall on Tuesday. By a vote of 8-5, councillors decided not to make masking mandatory in city-owned and operated facilities like city hall and rec centres.

Edmontonians will not have to start masking up in more places after a new bylaw failed at city hall on Tuesday.

By a vote of 8-5, councillors decided not to make masking mandatory in city-owned and operated facilities like city hall and rec centres.

Councillors were still scheduled to debate on Tuesday a transit-specific bylaw that would allow peace officers to write tickets under existing provincial mask laws.

Councillors scrapped the city's previous masking rules on March 8, the same day the provincial government tabled a bill to take away the power of all municipalities to require masking in public spaces that are not owned by local governments.

"I'm still concerned that the province moved too fast, too quick on removing COVID protections," Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said Tuesday.

"I've heard from a lot of constituents that just want us to line up with provincial guidelines…that's their jurisdiction, I heard that numerous times," Coun. Karen Principe argued.

Municipalities in Alberta do have some jurisdiction over health, and Premier Jason Kenney encouraged local councils to make decisions on masking earlier in the pandemic. Bill 4 seeks to limit those powers in relation to COVID-19 rules.