City considers fines for those who misuse mask exemption cards
The City of Edmonton may discontinue the contentious mask exemption card program if an alternative solution can’t be found to limit the significant amount of “unanticipated abuse.”
Interim city manager Adam Laughlin addressed the city’s new program for the first time Thursday, one day after the distribution of cards abruptly ended due to abuse by some residents.
More than 6,000 cards were handed out at seven recreation centres since the program started Saturday.
The city publicly defended the program Tuesday, but since then it saw a 55-per-cent increase in cards doled out in just over 24 hours.
One of the potential options to limit abuse of the program is to add a fine for those residents who falsely claim to be exempt.
“To be clear, the possession of an exemption card does not excuse a person from wearing a face covering unless the person is legitimately included within an exemption category set out in the bylaw,” Laughlin said.
“If administration determines that exemptions are being misused, it may be appropriate to recommend a fine for improperly claiming an exemption under the bylaw.”
Exemption cards were brought in by the city as a way to alleviate some concerns from residents who are exempt under the indoor public spaces mask bylaw, but were being challenged in public or denied service because they weren’t wearing a mask. The cards provided them a way to verify their exemption to businesses.
But distribution of the cards through an honour system proved troublesome as residents didn’t have to show proof of exemption and could take additional cards for family members.
The city’s COVID-19 task team chair David Aitken said misuse of the program became clear through direct conversations between residents obtaining the cards and recreation centre staff handing them out.
“Front-line workers who were actually giving out the cards, they were capturing some commentary from individuals coming in requesting the cards indicating that it was really just a means to avoid wearing a mask,” Aitken said. “Posts on social media indicating reasons for getting the cards were not related to an exemption but really a personal desire not to wear a mask.”
Mask compliance remains high throughout the city, sitting above 80 per cent in all areas and 98 per cent in private businesses.
The city will consult with local business associations and try to find an alternative card distribution process within the next week, Laughlin said. This may include an online approach that requires some kind of proof of exemption. Council heard Thursday the city can’t require medical information due to personal privacy rights, but the province has that authority. Accessible parking placards, obtained through the province, require approval from a medical professional.
Cards that have already been issued remain valid in city facilities and on the transit system. Businesses continue to have the authority to refuse entry, but Laughlin said the city is encouraging businesses to support those with legitimate exemptions and provide alternatives such as curbside service.
The exemption card program was a decision of city administration and Mayor Don Iveson said Thursday the way it unfolded was disappointing.
“While we all want to believe that Edmontonians would act ethically and that only those who truly need the card and exemption would go out of their way to get one, this sadly proved not to be the case and clearly some individuals abused the privilege,” he said. “Public health and safety of our fellow Edmontonians is still our No. 1 priority and with the rising cases of COVID -19 here in Edmonton, the mask bylaw is even more important at this time.”
Meanwhile, the city is extending the use of the Expo Centre isolation shelter until Sunday at the request of the provincial government. The shelter was expected to shutter Friday, but a new location for homeless residents to isolate if exhibiting COVID -19 symptoms has not been found.