Several city councillors indicated last week that they'd be in favour of continuing to require masks on public transit and in taxis and rideshare vehicles even if the province removed its requirement. Edmonton Transit Service branch manager Carrie Hotton-MacDonald said it could be challenging to enforce the bylaw, and council agreed to discuss the issue again this week. Now, they won't have to.
On Aug. 13, the province announced that existing COVID-19 health measures will remain in place for another six weeks, including the requirement to wear masks on public transit, in taxis and rideshares, and on school buses. Dr. Deena Hinshaw also announced that it will be up to school boards to decide whether or not to require masks. Both Edmonton Catholic and public school boards will share their back-to-school plans today, Aug. 16, but EPSB chairperson Trisha Estabrooks has already said that masks will be mandatory for students from kindergarten to grade 12.
Here is a look at some of the items on council's agenda this week:
- Councillor Ben Henderson is requesting that council authorize a leave of absence to enable him to run in the 2021 federal election. Henderson was recently acclaimed as the Liberal Party candidate for Edmonton-Mill Woods. Councillor Scott McKeen would replace Henderson as acting mayor for the remainder of the term.
- An updated Housing Investment Plan outlines how the $14.9 million in federal funding allocated to Edmonton through the Rapid Housing Initiative's Cities Streams will be used to create a minimum of 68 units of new permanent affordable housing.
- Bylaw 19144 would establish the Clean Energy Improvement Program to "catalyze energy efficiency retrofit investment in privately owned buildings." Administration projects a program budget of $12.37 million over two years.
- As the current council term comes to a close, administration has prepared a final update on city council's 24 initiatives.
- A bylaw to borrow $330 million for the Capital Line LRT extension from Century Park to 41 Avenue SW is ready for second and third readings.
- A proposed redevelopment at 10054 79 Avenue NW in Ritchie has been updated to seek approval to build residential units on the ground floor "based on the current low market demand for commercial tenants at this time."
- A proposed rezoning in Garneau at 79 Avenue NW and 109 Street would allow for a six-storey building, two storeys more than is currently allowed. Administration supports the change to reflect "a prioritization of The City Plan over the 109 Street Corridor Area Redevelopment Plan."
Photo: Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange provided an update on Alberta's back to school guidance on Friday, Aug. 13. (Government of Alberta/Flickr)