End the Mask mandate petition started by YEG Mayoral Candidate

Edmonton city councillor Mike Nickel, who has announced his intention to run for mayor in the 2021 municipal election this fall, has announced his opposition to Mayor Iveson's mask mandate.

"This past year was incredibly challenging for so many of us," Nickel began on his campaign page.

"Thankfully, cases are plummeting. Vaccination rates are rising. The risk is rapidly subsiding. On July 1st, our city will enter phase 3 of the Province’s reopening plan. During this phase all restrictions will be removed, including the wearing of masks. Unfortunately, I am growing concerned by Mayor Iveson’s recent comments and posts, suggesting masks may need to stay until the end of the year. This is in clear violation of the evidence-based decision of our Chief Medical Officer of Health and her team."

Nickel proceeds: "Don Iveson is not a doctor. By forcing a continued mask mandate on Edmontonians, he will force local consumers outside of Edmonton, further hurting our local businesses."

A link to a petition was attached.

Nickel currently represents Ward 11 in the city’s southeast.

He first won a seat on city council in 2004. He was once again elected to council in 2013 and re-elected to his seat in the 2017 municipal election.

In 2018, Nickel lost a bid to become the UCP candidate for the riding of Edmonton-South in the provincial election.

Nickel has campaigned against an excessive public sector and woke culture alike. “We can no longer afford a city where projects lack proper planning and oversight,” he said, suggesting he believes the city has too many managers last year. He also stated that “the woke special interest groups have had their time” at city hall.

For months, Nickel has been a clear advocate of the toll COVID-19 measures have had on the economy, as well as citizens’ mental and physical health while emphasizing the need for a clear plan for economic reopening.