City council sticks close to home

But privacy concerns raised

As politicians across the country come under scrutiny for non-essential, out-ofcountry travel in spite of public health recommendations, Regina's city council appears to be heeding the advisory.

Mayor Sandra Masters said she has no evidence and no reason to believe any member of council left the country over the holidays or since travel recommendations took effect.

Masters said she has not left the country since recommendations came in, but she added that there does have to be a line between the private and public lives of politicians.

That's something with which Ward 2 Coun. Bob Hawkins agrees.

As a matter of principle, he questioned the rationale behind the travel question, adding there is “no basis indicating I have anything to hide at all.”

In his capacity as a lawyer, Hawkins said he could not ask a witness on the stand a question without having some evidence to warrant his line of questioning.

“If you asked me a question about my sex life, I'd tell you it's not relevant,” said Hawkins.

He said that if there was an allegation against him, for example if someone spotted him in an airport buying a plane ticket, there would be some basis to ask the question about travel.

“There is nothing to suggest, not a scintilla, to suggest I was outside of the country or the city or my house, for that matter,” said Hawkins. “There's no basis for the question.”

“All politicians should have some private space. In other words, just because you go into politics doesn't mean that your whole life is at the beck-and-call of the public,” said Hawkins.

The crux, it seems, of Hawkins' aversion to answering the question is that he firmly believes politicians have a right to privacy, and answering a question based on speculation instead of evidence is, to him, baseless.

“Listen, if you have no privacy, no one will go into politics,” said Hawkins.

“I agree with him, there is a line,” said Masters, who added she has every reason to believe Hawkins has been following the recommendations set out by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

“He doesn't ever take his mask off during council,” said Masters.

Other councillors offered less circuitous answers.

“No,” said a succinct Coun. Andrew Stevens ( Ward 3) when asked if he had left the country or province since travel recommendations came into effect.

Ward 9 Coun. Jason Mancinelli said as a public figure and as someone elected, he felt strongly that all people in public-facing positions should adhere to and advocate for the measures put in place by the province.

Coun. Cheryl Stadnichuk ( Ward 1) said the furthest she's been away from Regina was to White Butte Trails to cross-country ski.

“Been here the whole time,” said Coun. Lori Bresciani ( Ward 5).

All other councillors contacted said they remained in the city over Christmas and had not left the country since SHA recommendations were made.