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COVID-19 fallout

City bracing for layoffs, but remain quiet on numbers

Mar 27, 2020 | 7:00 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Municipalities across Canada have been reporting layoffs as a result of COVID-19 and pink slips could be on the way for city employees in Medicine Hat.

The COVID-19 health pandemic closed a number of public facilities in the city, including the Family Leisure Centre, Crestwood Recreation Centre, the Strathcona Leisure Centre, and the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre.

Brian Mastel commissioner of public services for the City of Medicine Hat told CHAT News Today that since the closure of facilities on March 15, some staff affected have been shifted into other positions but layoffs are still likely for staff that can’t be redeployed into other positions.

“We’ve closed a number of public facilities and are decreasing programming and events and services in that regard and to reflect that we are starting to look at layoffs of staff and we will be providing notification in the coming weeks,” Mastel said.

The city’s commissioner of public services declined to specify on the number of layoffs, or where they are anticipated but later said in an interview that they will most likely impact those working at the facilities that have closed as a result of the order given by Alberta Health Services.

When asked if the general public and media will be made aware of the number of layoffs, Mastel wasn’t specific.

“That’s not really a story I was looking to…it’s impacting people’s lives and so I’m not looking to make a public notification of that, I think my focus is on trying to ensure that we are providing the services to the community that they expect and to make sure that we follow the guidelines of the province and federal levels and we are doing that, “ Mastel said.

On March 20 the City of Airdrie announced 184 layoffs as a result of the shutdown of public facilities due to COVID-19.

Other municipalities across Canada have provided details on the number of layoffs including the City of Saskatoon, City of Vernon and the City of Kelowna.