It appears to be yet another case of a politician condoning one set of rules for the public but applying another set to themselves when it comes to COVID-19 restrictions and recommendations.
This time it’s Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne.
During a council meeting on Monday, Dionne took off his mask while chairing the meeting.
When asked why he did this, the mayor repeatedly insisted it was his right to do so and he was within the current COVID-19 regulations.
The only problem is he wasn’t.
According to the current public health act which has been in effect since Nov. 19 and is posted on the Government of Saskatchewan website, mandatory masks are required in most indoor public places including municipal, provincial or federal government locations offering services to the public.
An email from the ministry of health confirms this applies to municipal council meetings.
The act says the only exception is if a municipal, provincial or federal official is doing a media interview or conference.
There is also a section of the act that says individuals who are leading a service or ceremony while speaking from a podium may unmask.
However, another email from the health ministry confirms this does not apply to municipal council meetings but is intended for a faith based ceremony or media news conference.
Dionne was not the only member of council who was unmasked at the meeting.
Councillor Don Cody, who in his 80’s and in one of the highest risk groups for contracting COVID-19, was also not wearing a mask for the duration of the meeting.
Dr. Cory Neudorf, a professor in the department of health and epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan, said rather than trying to find loopholes in the current COVID-19 rules, politicians like Dionne should be setting a higher standard.
“What we should be expecting out of our leaders is not just a justification of what might be possible but rather a higher standard representing what you’re looking for from the rest of public in order to control the pandemic,” he said.
Prince Albert Saskatchewan Party MLA Joe Hargrave resigned from cabinet recently after he was called out for travelling to California during the Christmas holidays to sell his Palm Springs home.
A number of Alberta cabinet ministers and MLAs in the United Conservative Party were also forced to resign from their duties after it was revealed they too had traveled to foreign destinations over the holidays.
And, just a few weeks ago, Dionne himself was calling on Municipalities of Saskatchewan President Gordon Barnhart to step down after it came to light the Saltcoats mayor had travelled to Hawaii.
Saskatchewan currently has the highest number of per capita COVID-19 cases in the country and Neudorf said when politicians break COVID rules or try to manipulate them to their advantage, it only breeds public cynicism and plays a factor in the pandemic dragging on longer than it needs to.
“What we’re seeing through mixed messages, the public is more apt to not follow restrictions as carefully because they see what they are being asked to do isn’t being modelled by others.”
At Monday’s meeting, city clerk Sherry Person said Prince Albert was following the current public health act when conducting council meetings and was basing its meetings on what the City of Regina does.
When asked in an email which part of the act allows councillors to unmask during meetings, she responded that she has since asked the Saskatchewan Health Authority for further clarification on what the rules are in terms of COVID-19 restrictions during council meetings and is waiting to hear back.
In an email, Regina Mayor Sandra Masters said mayor and council are required to wear masks at all times during meetings.
The only exception is to take a drink of water.
The City of Saskatoon has been holding its council meetings virtually since April 2020.
Neudorf reiterated the public expects a higher standard of accountability from politicians and it is absolutely crucial they try to live up to this standard during crises like the pandemic where public trust may be fragile.
“I think the public always holds elected officials to a higher standard and what’s expected is transparency. I think a rule of thumb usually for elected officials is to give that extra second thought to an action they want to take to make sure how would this be perceived, not just how is this allowed but how is my action actually going to be setting an example.”
Mayor Dionne’s office did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
(PHOTOS: Top, Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne was in violation of Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 restrictions when he chose to take his mask off at a Feb. 1 council meeting. Bottom, Councillor Don Cody, pictured here at the Feb. 1 meeting, was also in violation of COVID-19 rules. Top photo, file photo. Bottom photo by Fraser Needham.)