City Council passed a motion on Monday night to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for council meetings and any other public meetings or hearings.

Those looking to enter city hall must show proof of a second dose or a negative COVID-19 test within the past 24-hours, starting October 1.

Vaccine documents that will be accepted are:

  • A printed copy of COVID-19 vaccination record. 
  • A digital copy of COVID-19 vaccine record.
  • A vaccination card by a healthcare provider on the date that you were vaccinated. 
  • Proof of a negative COVID-19 test or rapid antigen test provided by a certified healthcare provider. 

All forms of verification will require photo identification. 

Children who are under 12 who cannot be vaccinated or those with a medical exemption will not require proof of vaccination. 

City Manager, Jim Puffalt, says passing this policy would be a requirement to continue city council meetings.

"We are obligated to follow the provincial guidelines and public health orders that they place, as we don't have all the details yet we will know more as this week goes on, but we do know for tonight that we need to have this in place to have a public meeting in October," says Puffalt. 

Kim Robinson was the only councillor opposed to the policy.

"Does that worry anybody? As a city, are we infringing on people's right to move about freely in our society and creating two-tier societies?"

"This just gives me a lot of concern that we are overreaching," says Robinson.

Acting Mayor, Dawn Luhning, says we are creatures of the province.

"I have real concerns about the viability of the healthcare system right now which there are facts surrounding how stresses the healthcare system is, and we have to do our part, we have to follow the public health orders," says Luhning. 

"Why is it an issue when we are in a global health pandemic like this that people are affronted by proving that they've done what they can to stop the pandemic."

Councillor, Jamey Logan, says the city needs to follow suit.

"We called on the province to step up and help, and they did."

Council members and city employees that attend council will be required to notify the Human Resources Department of their vaccination status.