City of Saskatoon ending proof of vaccination requirements, will continue mandatory masking

Saskatoon city council has voted to end proof of vaccination requirements at city facilities starting next week to stay in accordance with provincial health orders, but will leave a mask requirement in place.

At a special meeting on Tuesday, councillors voted to end requirements for COVID-19 vaccination, or proof of a negative test, at all civic facilities at the same time as the provincial government.

Premier Scott Moe announced Tuesday that provincial vaccination requirements will end on Monday, Feb. 14.

City administration told Saskatoon councillors that it would be very difficult to continue asking for proof of vaccination without a provincial health order in place.

"The city only implemented proof of vaccination or proof of negative test for the public at city facilities at the direction of the province," said city solicitor Cindy Yelland.

"The collection of private health information is intrusive and should not be done lightly."

The proof of vaccination policy has been in place since last October, and required anyone using leisure centres and indoor arenas to be vaccinated or show proof of a negative test in order to enter those buildings.

The report presented to council Tuesday estimated that ending proof of vaccination in its facilities would save the city $13,000 per week at leisure centres and $10,000 per week for indoor arenas, as Commissionaires will no longer need to be employed to check for vaccination status.

Mask mandates

At Tuesday's meeting, city council agreed to continue its mandatory mask policy at both leisure centres and city-owned indoor rinks, as well as for riders on Saskatoon Transit.

Council voted to continue its masking policy at all leisure centres and city-owned indoor rinks, despite the province's decision to end the policy by Feb. 28.

While administration recommended against mandatory masking on buses, stating that the measure would be too difficult to enforce, council felt the close quarters on transit mean it's important that riders are protected as much as possible.

"I appreciate that it's a difficult situation," said Coun. Hilary Gough.

"But knowing that space has risk of higher transmission is of great concern for me."

Coun. Darren Hill moved that administration report back on the costs of increased enforcement on buses, as well as conflict resolution support. The report is expected to be presented at the next Saskatoon city council meeting.

Some councillors were concerned about the mask mandate increasing conflict and violence on buses.

"I think if we have mandated masks on our buses when we don't have mandated masks provincewide, and we don't have the proper security and support for our bus drivers and our riders, that we are walking into a world of trouble," said Coun. David Kirton.

"I would really impress upon the administration to try to have this report back to us before the end of the month so that we can make a decision based on whether we can support them with security or not."

Councillors also voted in favour of continuing to make masks available for transit riders.