City of Red Deer
14% of City Employees still unvaccinated as mandate comes into effect Monday
Employee immunization policy comes into full effect Monday
Starting Monday, City staff who have not submitted their immunization records must provide proof of ongoing valid negative rapid antigen testing, tests are valid for 72 hours.
As of today, 1,256 (86%) staff have submitted their vaccination records; however, this number may change as more staff continue to complete vaccination and send in records. The City has set up a process for those who opt for negative rapid antigen testing in lieu of being vaccinated.
“We are pleased with the number of employees who have provided their immunization records, and we anticipate the majority who have not, will choose to provide proof of negative rapid antigen testing come Monday,” said Tara Lodewyk, Interim City Manager. “Many thanks to the staff who have worked together to bring this to implementation. The policy respects the preferences of individuals without compromising the health and safety of our employees and our community. In creating good policy, we need to do what is best for the overall organization.”
The City will do its best to work with all employees to navigate the complexities of the policy; however, the small number of staff who choose not to submit immunization records or provide proof of negative test will not be able to work and unpaid for that time.
The COVID-19 Immunization Policy implemented on October 5 applies to all City of Red Deer staff. The City Manager is delegated the authority under the Municipal Government Act to make decisions and create policies, which includes safety and business operations for the City of Red Deer. The current Employee Immunization Policy falls within this authority.
City Council will receive a report in January about what a potential policy for members of Council may look like, as well as potential timelines for implementation.
Increase to fees and fares, effective September 1
“Like every business, our operating costs have increased and in order to maintain our current levels of service for our riders we had to consider increasing our bus fares,” said Jeremy Bouw, Manager, Transit & Fleet Services. “This year we have seen our ridership slowly increasing and we want to keep that trend moving upward by maintaining our transit services and continuing to attract new riders.”
As of September 1, the following rates will be applied to Transit services:
- Cash Fares
- Adult (18-64 years) – $3
- Youth (6-17 years) / Student / Senior – $2.50
- 12 Ride Pass
- Adult – $33
- Youth / Student / Senior – $27.50
- Unlimited Ride (Monthly Pass)
- Adult – $75
- Senior – $62
- Student – $62
MyRide, The City’s electronic bus pass, is available for purchase at Transit Customer Service in Sorensen Station or at City Hall. MyRide can be conveniently reloaded with the fare type of your choice in 12 ride bundles or unlimited monthly passes at Transit Customer Service, City Hall or one of the seven reload stations located throughout the community.
As of September 1, the following recreation services will experience rate changes:
- Daily admission at the Collicutt Centre, Recreation Centre, Michener Centre, Servus Arena, Kinsmen Community Arenas and Setters Place at Great Chief Park
- Monthly Recreation All Access Passes and Recreation Value Passes*
- 10 punch passes at the above-mentioned facilities
- Group admission fees at the above-mentioned facilities
- Childminding fees at the Collicutt Centre and G.H. Dawe Community Centre
- Facility rental fees
* The Recreation Plus Pass fee was adjusted with the opening of the newly expanded G.H. Dawe Community Centre in February, and will not receive another adjustment in September.
“Our intent is always to provide as much access to recreation as possible, while managing increased costs, staffing levels and maintenance demands,” says Tammy Greba, acting Recreation Superintendent. She continues, “as a demonstration of this, we continue to offer the Fee Assistance Program to those needing financial help accessing City Arts and Recreation programs and services.”
For more information on fees and fares visit:
- Fee Assistance Program reddeer.ca/FeeAssistance.
- Recreation admissions and passes reddeer.ca/recreation.
- Transit reddeer.ca/transit.
- Cemetery Services reddeer.ca/cemetery.
A reception centre will be ready at noon on Thursday, August 17 at the GH Dawe Community Centre (6175 67 Street).
People arriving in Red Deer from the Northwest Territories are asked to register at the GH Dawe Community Centre (6175 67 Street). Additional supports for evacuees are available including assistance for lodging, meals, medical and pet care.
The GH Dawe Community Centre remains open to the public and all recreation activities are running as scheduled.
People looking to support evacuees can do so by donating to the Canadian Red Cross or Central Alberta Humane Society (to support evacuees with pets). Both these organizations are accepting monetary donations only.
- To donate to the Red Cross: Donations can be made either online at www.redcross.ca or at the local Red Cross Office (105 – 5301 43 Street).
- To donate to the Central Alberta Humane Society: https://cahumane.com/
More information on The City’s response is available at reddeer.ca/evacuees
Information for Evacuees:
- People arriving in Red Deer from the Northwest Territories are asked to register at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre (6175 67 Street).
- If you or anyone you’re evacuating with require additional supports (meals, medical, lodging, pet care) staff are available to support at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre.
- Evacuees will receive free transit and recreation passes. More information is available at the Reception Centre (G.H. Dawe Community Centre).
Information for Residents:
- The G.H. Dawe Community Centre remains open, with programming not impacted at this time.
- While we greatly appreciate our community’s desire to help, the best way to help is by donating to the Canadian Red Cross or Central Alberta Humane Society (to support people with pets). Both these organizations are accepting monetary donations only to support evacuees.
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- To donate to the Red Cross: Donations can be made either online at www.redcross.ca or at the local Red Cross Office (105 – 5301 43 Street).
- To donate to the Central Alberta Humane Society:https://cahumane.com/
- Organizations looking to support can email [email protected]
For the latest wildfire information, visit https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/wildfire-update
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