'We are treated like kids': Edmonton drops masking after Alberta moves to take away powers

Edmonton city councillors immediately cancelled the city's masking bylaw Tuesday, as the Alberta government moved to take away the ability of all local governments to require masks and vaccines in public spaces.

Edmonton city councillors immediately cancelled the city's masking bylaw Tuesday, as the Alberta government moved to take away the ability of all local governments to require masks and vaccines in public spaces.

Bill 4 was presented by Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver, which would give only him the power to bring in vaccine and mask mandates, unless it's on municipal property.

"This is only a defensive manoeuvre to make sure that the provincial rules are put in place," McIver told reporters, adding that he'd consider scrapping the legislation if Edmonton falls into line on masking.

"This is a case where one municipality is drifting, in my view, out of their lane and into the provincial lane," he added, declining to detail when he expected Bill 4 to pass.

Edmonton was the last remaining mask mandate in Alberta after Premier Jason Kenney dropped virtually all public health restrictions in Alberta on March 1.

The mask bylaw was cancelled by a vote of 8-5.

Instead, council decided 7-6 to request provincial approval for another mask bylaw under Bill 4, that could see masks required on transit and in publicly accessible, city-owned facilities.