Ottawa mask debate in schools returns amid sixth COVID wave

The debate over mandatory masking in Ottawa public schools isn’t over yet.

Mark Fisher, an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) trustee, says he will be introducing a motion to implement a mask mandate as the city rides the sixth COVID-19 wave.

“Based on the #COVID19 situation in #Ottawa and the impact it’s having on staff and students and keeping classrooms open, today I’ve given notice that I’ll introduce a motion, as soon as possible, to require masks in @OCDSB buildings again,” he wrote in a tweet Saturday, April 9.

https://twitter.com/MarkPFIsher/status/1512801662871683077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1512801662871683077%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fottawa.citynews.ca%2Flocal-news%2Focdsb-board-trustee-reintroducing-mandatory-mask-motion-amidst-sixth-covid-19-wave-5250960

The next committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. local time.

On March 21, Ontario lifted its mask mandates in most public settings, including in schools. However, the decision didn’t sit well with the city’s largest school board.

Prior to the official move, OCDSB trustees debated to keep masks mandated in classrooms following feedback from parents and staff.

“We’ve got about 25 to 30 per cent of the people writing me saying they want us to align completely with the province and lift all measures and mandates,” Fisher told CityNews on March 14, adding the board has the responsibility to discuss all factors involved.

“We certainly do have the authority to have this discussion and to determine what we need to do,” he said. “I would say though, the authority is strong for our employees than it is for our students.”

Trustees that same night voted to drop the mask mandate after students returned from March break. The vote tied 6-6, meaning it failed.

“I think that mirrors the division that we hear in the community, generally,” Lynn Scott, chair of the OCDSB, told The Rob Snow Show on March 15. “Perhaps even more broadly across the country.”

“Let’s face it, many families are still very, very scared,” Scott added. “They may have families who are immunocompromised or, otherwise, at higher risk if they get COVID. They are really worried that this could lead to more exposure for people who are at risk of severe disease.”

-With files from CityNews’ Scott Stoodley