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City of Red Deer

City implements COVID-19 immunization policy for staff and volunteers

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City Hall

The City of Red Deer has implemented a new policy aimed at relieving pressures on our healthcare system and protecting the health and safety of City of Red Deer staff and volunteers. The COVID-19 Immunization Policy outlines the requirements for City of Red Deer staff and volunteers to be fully immunized by November 28, 2021.

“Over the past 19 months, we have continuously enhanced measures and encouraged immunization in our organization, but we are at a point in the pandemic where our healthcare system is overloaded, we are seeing our highest number of cases in our community resulting in serious consequences ,” said Interim City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “As one of Red Deer’s largest employers, we are ready to take the next step in protecting our community and our healthcare system, and today, this is through our new internal immunization policy.”

The new policy applies to all City of Red Deer staff and volunteers, and requires them to be fully immunized by November 28, 2021.

To comply with this date, the following timelines apply:
• for a two dose vaccine series, employees and volunteers must receive one dose of COVID-19 vaccine by October 15, 2021, and the second dose by November 13, 2021.
• for a single dose vaccine series, employees and volunteers must receive the dose by November 13, 2021.

The current measures in place in City facilities for staff and patrons will continue to apply including masking, physical distancing, enhanced hand and surface sanitizing and staying home when sick.

“Immunizations are a contentious issue. People have strong opinions, which create tension in our workplaces and in our personal lives, but despite all of the emotions around this particular topic, a City of Red Deer Covid-19 immunization policy is now necessary for our staff ,” said Lodewyk. “This policy is about doing what we can to protect our employees, our community and our healthcare systems. It is about reducing the impacts on our already over-crowded hospitals where healthcare workers are working tirelessly as they continue to navigate this pandemic without judgement or hesitation. But we all must do our part too, and this policy is one step our staff at The City of Red Deer can take in the effort to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The policy will be monitored throughout the pandemic and adjusted as needed. It will be reviewed and evaluated every year following that.

The City of Red Deer implemented the COVID-19 Immunization Policy for employees and volunteers.

1. Why is The City implementing the COVID-19 Immunization Policy?
The City is implementing this policy to provide an added layer of protection for our staff to keep them and our community healthy while also protecting our healthcare system. Evidence-based data shows being fully immunized is an effective way to reduce the risk of being hospitalized from COVID-19. The City will use every reasonable precaution to safeguard employees from the risks of COVID-19.

2. Who is required to be immunized?
The COVID-19 Immunization Policy applies to all City of Red Deer employees and volunteers, with the exception of temporary workers hired solely for an election, and is not intended to replace/reduce any current departmental COVID Immunization/Vaccination Policies or Provincial/organizational COVID-19 measures in place.

3. Will new hires have the same requirements?

Yes, new employees will have to comply with the COVID-19 Immunization Policy.

4. Which policy does Emergency Services staff need to follow?

Emergency Services staff covered by the Emergency Services Department Administrative Policy – COVID-19: Mandatory Vaccination will be required to comply with the Emergency Services Policy. Emergency Services staff that the Department Administrative Policy does not apply to will follow the Corporate Administrative – Covid-19 Immunization Policy

5. Are contractors required to follow this policy?

The COVID-19 Immunization Policy applies only to City of Red Deer employees and volunteers. The City will not be requiring proof of vaccination from its contractors, suppliers or partners at this time, but we expect that all workers on our sites continue to adhere to all legislated public health restrictions including physical distancing, masking and not attending the worksite while experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. If this creates significant operational concerns for a specific contract situation, the contract manager is encouraged to discuss with Legal Services to determine if there may be other options for working a requirement into a current or upcoming contract.

6. What is the deadline be fully immunized?

All employees are required to be Fully Immunized against COVID-19 with a COVID-19 vaccine series by Sunday, November 28, 2021. This timeline allows a reasonable amount of time for unvaccinated or partially-vaccinated staff to schedule and receive the required doses by the deadline. Below are timelines, depending on whether receiving a single-dose or multi-dose vaccine.
a. Single Dose: Must be vaccinated on or before November 13, 2021 to be fully immunized by November 28, 2021.
b. Two Dose Vaccine Series: Must receive first dose on or before Friday October 15, 2021. A second dose must be scheduled on or before November 13, 2021 to be fully immunized by November 28, 2021.

7. What if an employee is already immunized?

Staff who are fully immunized can submit their immunization records to Human Resources, preferably as soon as possible but no later than November 19, 2021.

8. Is The City providing time off work for employees to get vaccinated?

Yes, employees are able to take up to three (3) hours paid time to get each dose of COVID-19 vaccination as per the Provincial vaccination pay legislation.

9. What are the approved vaccinations?

A list of the Health Canada approved vaccinations can be found here COVID-19 Vaccines: Authorized vaccines – Canada.ca.

10. What if an employee intends to get vaccinated, but will miss the deadline?

Any CORD employee that is not Fully Immunized by November 28, 2021 or has not provided proof of being Fully Immunized will be required to comply with COVID-19 rapid antigen testing requirements at their own cost.

11. If an employee has already had COVID-19, are they considered fully immunized in accordance with the COVID-19 Immunization Policy?

No, to be considered fully immunized employees must have:

• received two doses of a vaccine considered valid by Health Canada in a two dose COVID-19 vaccine series or one dose of a vaccine considered valid by Health Canada in a one dose COVID-19 vaccine series; and
• had fourteen days elapse since the date on which the person received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine considered valid by Health Canada of a two dose series or one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine considered valid by Health Canada in a one dose vaccine series.

12. What happens if an employee is not fully immunized by November 28, 2021?

Employees who are not fully vaccinated by November 28, 2021 will need to comply with ongoing COVID-19 rapid antigen testing requirements at the employee’s own cost.

13. What if an employee cannot get immunized?

Employees who are not able to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine for a documented medical exemption or reason related to a protected ground set out in the Alberta Human Rights Act, can request accommodation through the Human Resource department.

14. What if an employee chooses to not get immunized?

Employees who decline the vaccine or decline disclosure of immunization status will need to submit ongoing COVID-19 rapid antigen testing results within 72 hours of the start of shifts, at the employee’s own cost, on their own time, starting on Monday, November 29, 2021.

15. What if an employee does not comply with the policy?

Any employee refusing to comply with this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

16. What if an employee falsifies information?

Any employee providing false or misleading information, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

17. Is the COVID-19 Immunization Policy going to change in the future?

The policy will be monitored throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to be determine if or when changes are made.

18. What other new workplace safety measures is CORD considering and/or implementing?

The City will continue to closely monitor its COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy and the evolving public health information and context, to ensure that it continues to optimally protect the health and safety of employees in the workplace and the public that they serve. If it is determined that additional precautions are necessary, CORD may decide to deploy new measures to protect employees and the public from COVID-19, and may amend this policy accordingly and/or
communicate the required precautions to impacted employees.

19. Does being fully immunized exempt employees from pre-shift symptom screening and other workplace controls (wearing a mask, physical distancing, frequent hand sanitizing, etc.) while in the workplace?

No. Employees who are fully immunized or who have an approved exemption are still required to adhere to all other City of Red Deer workplace COVID-19 hazard controls. This policy applies an added layer of protection for our City of Red Deer staff, but does not eliminate the risk of spread on it’s own. We will maintain current Provincial and organizational measures in place until further notice.

20. Will the City be offering rapid antigen testing?

The City will not be offering on-site testing.

21. Does the COVID-19 Immunization Policy apply to members of City Council?

No, this policy does not apply to The City of Red Deer Mayor or Council members. Council would need to pass a resolution to impose a policy for themselves.

22. With the upcoming election, when would Council be able to consider implementing a policy for themselves?

As there will be a new Council following the municipal election on October 18, there would not be any consideration of implementing a policy for City Council until the new Council has been sworn in.

 

City of Red Deer

City extends new $1 million line of credit to Westerner Exposition and calls for a 15 year Master Plan

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City remains committed to supporting the financial sustainability of Westerner Exposition Association

Following the first annual review of the Westerner Exposition Association (WEA) Relationship Framework Agreement (RFA), City Council unanimously approved several recommendations to assist The Westerner in regaining financial sustainability, while meeting existing loan agreement timelines.Among these, Council approved the following recommendations by administration:
  • In 2023, begin the development of a Master Plan for the Westerner, which is expected to cost $100,000. The recommendation is that this cost be equally split between The City and WEA. The Master Plan, recommended in the RFA, is a 15-year vision that will include land use, access and multi-modal transportation, building design principles and site servicing.
  • Support short-term cash flow for the Westerner by providing a $1 million line of credit for WEA to cover expenses prior to realizing event revenue. This contingency loan is seen as emergency funds, with an expectation for it to be paid back once revenue is realized and only used after their current line of credit. At today’s meeting, Council approved first reading of the borrowing bylaw to accommodate this.
  • Amend the repayment formula for the $19 million Exhibition Hall loan agreement for five years to allow time for WEA to retain sufficient cash to meet current obligations, improve cash flow and build their Major Maintenance Reserve. Administration projects that while WEA would not make a loan payment until the fifth year, there is no impact to The City’s budget or to the 30-year loan payment deadline.
  • Amend the current RFA to have the City Manager approve all expenditures from WEA’s Major Maintenance Reserve.

“This decision made by City Council is important as it is a representation of Westerner Park moving forward. We appreciate the leadership that Council has shown in recognizing our work to recover, and by putting their trust in our promising future. This support gives our Non-Profit Agricultural Society the security we need to thrive for many years to come, to continue to be the hub for major events in Central Alberta.” – Mike Olesen, CEO Westerner Park

“City Council remains committed to seeing the Westerner through these tough economic times, with the ultimate goal of creating financial and operating stability for Westerner Park ensuring we can continue to attract large events and grow as a City and region. While these are difficult decisions for The City, we are confident in the Westerner and the positive and vital role it serves in our community life, economic development, and its integral place in The City’s Major Event Strategy and Destination Development Framework. Our region and our province benefit from the influential role that the Westerner has, in bringing events to this province.”  – Mayor Ken Johnston, The City of Red Deer

Funds approved today to support WEA do not impact The City’s budget, as dollars were earmarked during the 2023-2024 multi-year budget process. The approved recommendations look to balance the financial needs of WEA to regain solid financial footing, while also protecting The City’s investment should financial recovery not occur.

For more information on the support The City provides to WEA, visit www.reddeer.ca/westerner.

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City of Red Deer

G.H. Dawe expansion project complete

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Sunday, community members visited the expanded G.H. Dawe Community Centre to experience the new spaces as part of the expansion project.
The project at the facility is jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta and the City of Red Deer, and focuses on the modernization and replacement of existing spaces, as well as the addition of new amenities.
“Community and recreational infrastructure play an important role in building healthy and resilient communities,” said the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “The completion of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre expansion project is great news for Red Deer residents, as it will increase access to recreational services and opportunities to stay active. We will work with our government partners and community members across our province to turn their visions of a brighter future into a reality for all Albertans and Canadians.”
“The Alberta Government is committed to helping build safe and sustainable communities,“ said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “This recreation centre will not only improve the health of those who visit it, it will enhance the long-term wellbeing of the city as a whole as a social hub and economic driver for years to come.”
“We are so excited to welcome residents back to the G.H. Dawe Community Centre, and showcase its remarkable upgrades and enhancements,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “We remain grateful to the Provincial and Federal Governments for the financial support on this project, creating equitable ice distribution, geographical needs and recreation opportunities across all Red Deer, for all our residents. We can’t wait for you to see it.”Attendees of today’s event, and future users of the G.H. Dawe will have the opportunity to experience all that the expanded facility has to offer, including:
  • Two NHL-sized arenas;
  • Fitness and programming spaces including state-of-the art fitness equipment, two group fitness studios and a 230-metre fitness track; and
  • Multiple public art installations.

Accessing the recreation facility is also more convenient with the outdoor upgrades which include the addition of parking and an entrance on the north side of the building, and site access off 67 Street. The G.H. Dawe Community Centre will be open with new extended operational hours, exciting new programs and adjusted admission fees Monday, March 20.

The $42 million expansion project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program ($15.1 million), the Government of Alberta through Municipal Sustainability Initiatives ($12.6 million), and the City of Red Deer’s 2020, 2021 and 2022 capital budgets ($14.2 million).

For more information on the G.H. Dawe Community Centre expansion project, please visit www.reddeer.ca/Dawe.

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