It is not likely wearing masks will become mandatory in Thunder Bay in the fight against COVID-19.
Toronto city council voted late this afternoon to require its citizens to wear masks indoors.
Mayor Bill Mauro points out Thunder Bay does not have the authority to make such a move.
“It’s important for people to understand that Toronto may have, and I’m underscoring that, may have, the ability through their own provincial legislation to do that, but we have been told here, in the city, we have checked with our legal team, that we do not have the authority to do that,” points out the mayor.
He adds local health units and the province have the authority to impose such a requirement.
Also, Toronto has had the provincial power for many years, “15, at least 20 years, has had its own provincial legislation that gives the city of Toronto far more powers than all the other cities in the province have.”
Thunder Bay’s mayor also says he is hearing from many people who want it.
“Probably fair to say more… I think so, I think around the same time the mask piece began to make more traction, I think six to eight weeks ago,” says Mauro.
City council voted against asking the province for the power to make the decision, a vote the mayor says he supported since he felt the tide was moving toward the need.
