Tensions flared over COVID-19 restrictions during a virtual meeting of Sarnia council that was streamed online Monday.
Councillor Nathan Colquhoun, after complimenting city and county staff for working together during the pandemic and the community for helping flatten the curve, questioned the rationale behind some of the restrictions.
"I've heard so many apparent reasons why our boat ramp is closed from citizens trying to support our efforts in stopping the spread of the virus, but the only messaging I've heard from the city is that a lot of other municipalities are doing it," said Colquhoun. "I'm not aware of any larger ruling bodies that have ordered it closed, now there's a group of 500 boaters discussing how to get this back open, including a plan to protest."
Colquhoun also questioned the city's decision not to allow bonfires and the posting of closed signs at park facilities, and suggested the trust of citizens in city leadership is strained.
A COVID-19 closure sign at Sarnia's Canatara Park (BlackburnNews.com photo by Dave Dentinger)
"Trust between the City of Sarnia and the citizens of Sarnia is what is going to be either strained or strengthened because of this pandemic. Excessively cautious and fearful leadership and policies are revealing unfortunate realities at where this trust is at."
Colquhoun called on the emergency management team and the mayor to amend COVID-19 policies and reopen the boat launch, allow bonfires, remove closed signs at city parks and replace them with open signs identifying restrictions.
He also asked that beaches be opened with social distancing guidelines and change enforcement rules so offenders are given two warnings before charged.
Mayor Mike Bradley defended the primary control group's actions.
"The primary control group has been working for 30 to 40 days, every day, seven days a week. Never once have I heard from you," said Bradley. "The decisions made by the primary control group are decisions made to protect the residents of the city. We are under a state of emergency, the City of Sarnia. The Province of Ontario is under a state of emergency and we're doing what we can in the areas that we have control."
Bradley said restrictions on beaches, parks and store closures were provincially mandated.
Trail to beach at Sarnia's Canatara Park closed due to COVID-19 April 2020 (BlackburnNews.com photo by Dave Dentinger)
"People have a choice, they either distance six feet or they could be six feet under. We're trying to protect people. Go over to Landmark Village and try to truly understand what's happening to people and the people that are still struggling with the illness there. Are we perfect? No. But, we're making decisions every day because we care about the people in this community and we're trying to protect them and if some don't want to listen to that message, well, the alternative may be death."
Bradley said when it comes to the boat ramps specifically, the city does not have the staff to make sure people are social distancing 18 hours a day.
Colquhoun said he would forward his concerns to the primary control group.
