Warman City Council has approved both motions presented at special meeting of Council on September 2, which included to maintain the status quo and not implement further health measures such as mandatory masking in all indoor city-owned facilities.
The other motion that was approved was to send a letter to Health Minister Paul Merriman, as well as additional government representatives, expressing Warman City Council’s disappointment that they are not taking a leadership role in the guidance of health measures for the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a news release sent out by the city, the special meeting of council was declared and held due to several recent events:
- August 27 – Dr. Shahab’s comments recommending indoor masks on the “John Gormley Show”;
- August 30 – Dr. Shahab, Premier Scott Moe and Health Minister Merriman hold a live video COVID-19 update addressing the Government of Saskatchewan’s stance; and,
- August 30 – Regina and Saskatoon’s respective city councils vote to implement health measures beyond that of the provincial government.
With Warman City Council’s next regularly-scheduled meeting not until September 13, Mayor Gary Philipchuk said in-depth discussion amongst council on these issues would need to be had much sooner.
“We as a council needed the ability to formally discuss and have an information session regarding these recent announcements and events,” said Mayor Philipchuk in the news release. “With how quickly these developments arose, it was in our best interest to not put off this vital discussion between elected officials.”
The Clark’s Crossing Gazette will have more information about the meeting and this decision in a later article.