The city will continue asking the province to set aside masks, gloves and other equipment for police and other city workers.
City Council approved a motion to send a letter to the province with their concerns for personal protective equipment, as the province regulates the supply.
Mayor Bill Mauro told Council the province has been prioritizing healthcare workers, but he will advocate for employees who are not on their priority list. Those include long-term care home staff and emergency responders.
City Manager Norm Gale said the city has already been trying to make sure staff are protected against COVID-19.
“This has been challenging, and it’s daunting, there’s no doubt about that. As it stands now, we have enough P.P.E., but we are worried, we’re concerned, but we continue to work hard,” Gale told Council.
Mauro emphasized the city is not “pitting one group against the other,” only focusing on workers who have been left off of the province’s priority list.
Mauro will also send a letter to the provincial government supporting sterilization of N95 masks so they can be re-used. Gale noted the city is looking at purchasing a machine to sterilize that equipment as part of their long-term strategy.
