(Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

City Council to write letter to province to open dialogue about regional restrictions

Feb 1, 2021 | 10:25 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- Following weeks of outcry from local businesses and children’s sports organizations, Medicine Hat City Council will be penning a letter to the province, with the hopes that it opens up a conversation about regionalizing restrictions in the Southeast region.

The notice of motion was put forward by Coun. Darren Hirsch.

“ I don’t think it is fair for our community to await the rise or fall of cases in the Calgary’s and Edmonton’s. For it to be dictated to Medicine Hat,” ge said.

Hirsch stressed that the intent of the letter is not to put a stop to people observing their own preventative measures towards the virus, but to give youth and local businesses a fighting chance.

“I think the opportunity for our children to engage in sports, not only helps their mental health, but it certainly does support the idea of community,” he said, adding that businesses and local residents have demonstrated their ability to abide by public health guidelines and keep case numbers at bay.

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Earlier in the meeting, the City’s director of emergency management said residents of Medicine Hat deserves top marks for their efforts.

“As soon as we implemented our Face Coverings Bylaw, and as soon as the province came out with their restrictions, it was compliance. Even from an enforcement perspective with the police service, exemplary behaviors even from their viewpoint as well. We have done a great job,” Merrick Brown, director of emergency management said.

The notice of motion was passed unanimously by City Council.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mayor Ted Clugston said other municipalities within the Southeast region may also pen similar letters to the province.

“It’s tough out there and we would like to see, maybe we could be held as a test case in the region or something and the dialogue started about maybe we can have regional approaches,” he said.

In terms of preventing those from other parts of the province from taking advantage of reduced restrictions should they become regionalized, Mayor Clugston, said driver’s licenses are included in the proposal as a way to determine location.

As of Monday, Feb. 1, there are 16 active cases of COVID-19 in Medicine Hat.