Edmonton council to debate mask bylaw Tuesday afternoon

But if Edmonton opts to keep mask rules it’s likely the provincial government will move swiftly to overrule them

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Masks will be front and centre at Edmonton city hall today as council debates whether or not to continue with its mandatory masking bylaw.

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Council is holding a special meeting Tuesday afternoon beginning at 1:30 p.m. to review the face covering bylaw. Edmonton appears to be the only Alberta municipality where wearing masks in most indoor places is still legally required after the provincial government lifted its own mask rules on March 1.

But if Edmonton opts to keep mask rules it’s likely the provincial government will move swiftly to overrule them.

Premier Jason Kenney vowed last week to take away municipalities’ powers to impose their own public health restrictions by amending the Municipal Government Act.

In response, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi condemned this move as unacceptable government overreach that would cripple the city’s ability to manage its own bylaws and govern itself.

Municipalities have had the power to create their own regionally-specific COVID-19 rules that go beyond the provincial restrictions since early in the pandemic.