Coun. Kim Robinson is concerned that forcing people to show proof of vaccination status will infringe on their ability to move freely in Moose Jaw and will lead to a segregated community.
“Are we creating a two-tiered society? I know a family in town that had a severe reaction to vaccinations (in the past) and they are scared stiff of getting any vaccine right now,” he said during a city council discussion on Sept. 27 about showing proof of vaccination to attend public meetings in city buildings.
“They are an athletic family. They have a genetic predisposition to the previous vaccines (they took). Now we’re telling them, ‘You can’t show up here (to city hall) or go to the fitness centre (at Yara Centre)’?
“That’s an affront on our rights and liberties. It doesn’t sound to me like the province has given us a heckuva lot of options here,” he added. “This gives me a lot of concern that we’re overreaching.”
The City of Moose Jaw is obligated to follow the provincial government’s guidelines, said city manager Jim Puffalt. City administration expects to have more information about this requirement soon but needed this policy in place immediately so council can have public meetings in October.
City hall has made changes to its operating procedures by placing a Commissionaire near the front doors to monitor who comes and goes, he added.
All municipalities are “creatures of the province” and are obligated to follow public health orders, echoed Acting Mayor Dawn Luhning. For her, she is concerned about the viability of the health-care system since she knows how stressed it is.
“We have to do our part,” she stated, noting the provincial government is helping residents get back to their normal lives, “whatever that means in this new world we’re living in.”
Luhning added that the vaccine passports will be implemented at city hall on Oct. 1, while many businesses will also be forced to follow suit, “and that’s the way it is.”
Municipalities asked the province for help and the government has stepped in with a proof of vaccination policy, which is something council must also have, said Coun. Jamey Logan. He noted that while businesses likely don’t want to implement this policy any more than anyone else, it must be enforced.
“Be kind to people and we’ll get through this,” he added.
This is a stressful time, but several weeks ago, 23 doctors collectively wrote a letter explaining how overwhelmed the health-care system is with unvaccinated people, said Coun. Crystal Froese. She has family who works in health care and “overtime here is nuts.”
“The stress here in our own city in health care is real and its happening … ,” she added. “People need to take advantage of pop-up clinics and get vaccinated and that will protect businesses and the health-care system and the health of those we call our neighbours.”
Robinson noted that he never questioned whether the health-care system was under stress, as it’s been under stress for more than five years. Instead, he questioned the ethical reasons council was making this decision, while he didn’t think creating a two-tiered society was appropriate.
People don’t necessarily need a vaccination, but they will have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, said Coun. Doug Blanc. Council isn’t telling people to stay away from city hall, it’s simply telling them to provide proof, similar to showing a driver’s licence for services or the way companies drug test their staff.
“This is not our mandate, this is from the provincial government,” he added. “We’ve been after them for some time to step up and do their due diligence and they did … . I think this is long overdue.”
The next regular council meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 12.
