KAWARTHA LAKES – Those who wish to enter council chambers in Lindsay could soon be required to show proof of vaccination or provide a negative test result.
At a recent committee of the whole meeting, Mayor Andy Letham brought forward a memorandum regarding vaccination requirements for attendance in the council chambers.
A motion was passed to bring the recommendation to council for consideration at their next regular council meeting.
The memorandum states that you must be fully vaccinated to attend a Council meeting in person, if you are not fully vaccinated, either for medical reasons or personal choice, you must provide proof of a negative test result that is dated no earlier than two days before the meeting. Councillors may also attend virtually.
“We either take on a leadership role with where the whole province is going, or we don’t,” said Mayor Letham. “We want to accommodate as everybody is trying to do, I am not saying you can’t attend, you have three options to attend.” The third being attending virtually.
Councillor Ron Ashmore was quick to argue against the possibility of this requirement and began to review the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms but was stopped by Mayor Letham and Councillor Pat Dunn.
“We are not debating vaccinations,” said Dunn as he announced that he has been double vaccinated. “I have no issue with this.”
Mayor Letham noted that his memorandum is strictly focused on vaccinations in the chambers and the motion to bring this forward to council at their next meeting was passed.
“Yesterday I had to endure a member of council constantly sneezing and he is allowed to stay in there,” Ashmore told Kawartha411. “So it doesn’t make sense. We are screened prior to all meetings but even if he was vaccinated, he still may be transmitting the virus.”
The City of Kawartha Lakes also recently announced new boundaries for ice pad users to ensure safety as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve.
According to City officials, to ensure the health and safety of the community, cooperation is required from everyone.
Read more : City of Kawartha Lakes Sets Ice User Protocols Amid Pandemic