Calgary, March 3: Alberta’s premier defended his plan to prevent cities and towns from bringing in their own mask mandates Wednesday, as a municipal leader accused him of doing a “180” flip-flop on the issue.
Cathy Heron, St. Albert’s mayor and president of Alberta Municipalities, asked the premier to “show some respect” to local decision-makers before meeting with Kenney in an attempt to “mediate and find a middle ground.”
“We’re caught in the crosshairs with a war, or fight, between the province and the City of Edmonton,”.
She pointed out that Kenney’s threat to change the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to prevent mask laws is a big change from where he stood earlier in the pandemic.
An expert in health law and policy said while Kenney likely has the legal authority to dictate this change to municipalities, his “rapid shift in tone” devalues cities and towns as partners in public health.
“The premier’s comments that health is provincial jurisdiction is misleading in my view,” said Lorian Hardcastle, an associate professor at the University of Calgary.
“Health is a very broad matter, it falls to all levels of government and municipalities do crucial work in public health.”
Hardcastle pointed out that local councils are in charge of health-related bylaws like where people can smoke, where cannabis shops can be set up, and if the local water supply includes fluoridation.
“The other thing I was concerned with the premier’s remarks was, he accused municipalities of wanting to politicize this issue. I think that’s deeply problematic because he’s the one facing an election and a leadership review,” she said.
Hardcastle believes municipalities and citizens would have an “uphill battle” trying to challenge Kenney’s moves in court.
The NDP hasn’t taken a firm stance either way on masking rules, but they have criticized Kenney’s approach.
“Working with municipal partners, not against them, will lead to a better public health response for whatever lies ahead,” Opposition Leader Rachel Notley tweeted.
