COVID-19 and Impacts on Region

Mayor D. Scott welcomed Indigenous leaders and representatives in attendance and thanked the Athabasca Tribal Council for initiating this dialogue.

Chief Allan Adam, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and President, Athabasca Tribal Council and addressed Council in relation to the significant outbreak of COVID-19 in the Region. It was recommended that a State of Local Emergency be declared by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (“RMWB") Council in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and bring awareness to the severity of the situation within the RMWB.

President Ron Quintal, Fort McKay Métis Nation, spoke to concerns with the rising COVID-19 numbers and indicated that a structure of how the collaborative leadership within the RMWB moves forward. It was also identified that industry leaders are important participants in these discussions.

Chief Peter Powder, Mikisew Cree First Nation, echoed comments shared and recommended a prayer be held at the onset of future meetings.

Justin Bourque, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Willow Lake Métis Nation, provided comment on the benefit of declaring a State of Local Emergency.

Bill Loutitt, Chief Executive Officer, McMurray Métis, echoed concerns raised by previous speakers and offered support for the recommended actions discussed thus far.

Chief Mel Grandjamb, Fort McKay First Nation, spoke to concerns with ongoing industry shutdowns and recommended that a joint action plan between Indigenous Governments and Leadership, Industry and RMWB be enacted to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Chief Allan Adam, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, restated the necessity of declaring a State of Local Emergency.

Chief Vern Janvier, Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, spoke to concerns surrounding the rise in cases and the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on the Region’s communities.

Judy Ann Cardinal, Vice President, Fort Chipewyan Métis Association, agreed with the comments of the all the previous speakers, indicating a collaborative approach would be beneficial.

Valerie Quintal, Vice President Conklin Community Association, spoke to impacts on their community from the surrounding camps.

Chief Ron Kreutzer, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, supported comments shared by the previous speakers and spoke to the need for more information.

Justin Herman, Chief Executive Officer, Chard Métis, expressed concern with respect to the hospital capacity and the effect this may have on the community.

Chief Peter Powder, Mikisew Cree First Nation, restated the need to have an action plan and rose concerns with aviation and the importance of sharing information.

President Ron Quintal, Fort McKay Métis Nation, restated the necessity of declaring a State of Local Emergency.

Point of Order

Councillor K. McGrath called a Point of Order and indicated that he has questions for Administration. Mayor D. Scott overruled the Point of Order and handed the floor back to the next speaker.

President Jim Cardinal, Region 1, Métis Nation of Alberta, indicated support for working with all leaders in the Region and provided support for his involvement in future meetings and discussions.

Councillor Ray Powder, Fort McKay First Nation, echoed comments to keep our communities safe and indicated the need to look at contributing factors and make a collective decision.

Karla Buffalo, Chief Executive Officer, Athabasca Tribal Council, summarized the actions raised by First Nation and Métis leaders throughout this meeting noting the following:

- Request for Council to pass a resolution to affect a State of Local Emergency.

- Municipality has a number of areas where they can influence a signal to the public and other levels of Government on the severity of this matter.

- Declaring a State of Local Emergency provides for the ability to impact travel restrictions.

- Need for collective RMWB leadership to call for an emergency meeting with Federal and Provincial Governments identifying specific actions to advance critical needs in our Region.

- Need to engage industry and identify them as part of solution and advocacy.

- Request for schools to move to virtual learning, although this was just announced for both the Catholic and Public-School Divisions, advocacy to see the Northlands School Division taking these same steps is required.

- Consideration of community curfew and/or other measures as deemed necessary.

- Need for Alberta Health Services to be engaged for intensified resources for vaccination rollout.

- Additional isolation supports as there are currently limited resources within our Region for those residents testing positive for COVID-19.

- Need for rapid test sites and increased social supports.

- Request for immediate action to avoid long term impact to our people, our economy and strain on healthcare system.

- Indigenous leadership are willing to move this forward as a collaborative partner.

Councillor Russell Kaskamin, Mikisew Cree First Nation, restated concerns with the spread of COVID-19 and the impact on the hospital and indicated the priority on passing a motion to declare the State of Local Emergency.

Councillor Melinda Stewart, Fort McKay First Nation, spoke to the number of cases in the Region.

Councillor K. Balsom put forward the following motion for consideration:

THAT the Mayor, in accordance with section 14 of the Emergency Management Bylaw and section 11.3(2) of the Emergency Management Act, declare a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) with respect to the most recent outbreak of COVID-19 and variants in the Region.

Councillor M. Allen put forward the following amending motion:

THAT Council direct Administration to quickly engage with AHS and other authorities and bring forward a recommendation of what the most effective means and measures would be to curb this emergency immediately, which could include calling a State of Local Emergency.

Councillor M. Allen withdrew his amending motion upon procedural clarification.