Massive fines coming for students caught vaping. City teaming up with local high schools to strictly enforce bylaw

From The City of Red Deer, Red Deer Public Schools, Ecole La Prairie, and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

Enforcement of smoking bylaw at Red Deer high schools to curb student vaping

The City of Red Deer, in partnership with Red Deer Public Schools, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools and École La Prairie, is enforcing vaping at Red Deer high schools.

Local schools are seeing an increase in the number of students vaping – or the use of an electronic cigarette – on school property. Under The City’s Smoke-Free Bylaw, vaping is prohibited in public spaces and workplaces, and within 10 metres of playgrounds, seasonal skating rinks, skate parks, sports fields, water spray parks, or toboggan hills.

“Community peace officers will enforce the Smoke-Free Bylaw at high schools in Red Deer which prohibits all forms of smoking including the use of e-cigarettes,” said Scott Tod, Municipal Policing Services Manager. “People in public spaces including workplaces are entitled to a safe environment and vaping puts others at risk.”

“We are seeing students from all grade levels using vaping products. With all high schools in Red Deer partnering with The City of Red Deer, we hope it will continue to educate our students on the health implications of tobacco and vaping,” said Rose McQuay, Principal atÉcole Secondaire Notre Dame High School.

“Student vaping has reached epidemic proportions among Red Deer youth. Not only have ourschools seen a significant increase in students using vaping products, it now ranks as the number one reason for student suspensions,” added Darwin Roscoe, Principal at Hunting Hills High School.

“With the use of The City of Red Deer Smoke-Free Bylaw, it gives us another tool to help enforce the no vaping policy at our school. We are grateful that all high schools in Red Deer are taking the same approach,” said Jean Doyon, Director at École la Prairie.

As per the bylaw, city enforcement will issue tickets to anyone (including students) caught violating the bylaw.

Students caught vaping on school property by a bylaw officer or RCMP member will receive a ticket for violating The City’s Smoke Free Bylaw, with the following fines:

 $200 for the first offense
 $500 for the second offense
 Up to $2500 for the third offense

In addition to the fine, students at Red Deer Public Schools and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools will also receive suspensions from their schools.

Parents with questions are asked to contact their child’s high school administrator.

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2024 City Councilor By-Election

Get to know your candidates for city council: Calvin Yzerman

Published on April 14, 2024

City of Red Deer

From elections.reddeer.ca

About the Candidate

I know Red Deer. I have lived here since 1961. This by-election is a somber occasion for myself and many others in our community as we have lost an irreplaceable community friend and Councillor. Red Deer has been good to our family and has a lot going for it. Our choice location in Central Alberta along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway makes Red Deer an ideal hub to service the rest of Alberta and Western Canada. The Regional Airport is a short drive away. Thank you for taking the time to vote.

Candidate Priorities

Housing and Homelessness	I am hopeful that all levels of Government can come together to solve this urgent problem. Non-profits, and private-sector housing providers can also play a role in developing innovative and sustainable affordable housing projects.
Crime Prevention and Policing	Everyone wants a safe community and crime prevention is a top concern. I support Red Deer’s Annual Policing Plan. I was recently reminded by members of the Social Diversion Team to call 403-406-2200 if you see someone need of non-emergency support.
Infrastructure and Utilities	Infrastructure and Utilities is one of those areas that City residents rely upon everyday. I feel that the City of Red Deer has a strong Strategic Plan in place to address new and aging infrastructure. Spring road repairs could improve.
Public Transit	I feel that The City of Red Deer Transit Network Improvements Project was well designed to address transit service in Red Deer. I also support a modern safe high speed train connection between Alberta’s major Cities.
Restoration of Red Deer EMS Dispatch	Our local Red Deer EMS Dispatch model was top notch and service suffered greatly when the Province consolidated EMS dispatch. I would strongly urge the Province to restore EMS dispatch to its former model.

Contact Information

[email protected]

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* Candidate profiles are published as submitted. Please note: The City does not operate, review, endorse or approve any external site listed here and is not responsible or liable for any damages arising from linking to or using these sites.

Red Deer voters will have many opportunities to cast their ballot in this By-Election. Advance Vote will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April 18 to 20. Voters will be able to select one of three Advance Vote locations at Parkland Mall, Baymont by Wyndham Red Deer or Westerner Park. The same voting stations will be open for voters from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on By-Election Day, April 22.

Information about the By-Election, including details about where to vote, who is running and how to vote is available on the Elections website at elections.reddeer.ca.