After a long council meeting of making amendments to the Face Covering Bylaw, Town Council still does not have a decision on the Face Covering Bylaw. 

Last night, the first reading on the bylaw was read and passed. Then second reading was read and amendments to the bylaw were made. This took up the majority of the meeting and focused on adding 'education' to the purpose of the bylaw, changing the trigger point from enhanced to 20 active cases, changing the minimum age for compliance from 2-years-old to 5-years-old and a reduction of the fine for not wearing a face-covering in indoor public places to $50. 

Council went through the bylaw point-by-point making additional amendments and eventually, it passed second read 6 to 1. The council then voted to see if the bylaw could go to third reading through a unanimous vote but it was defeated 6 to 1 as well. 

The Basic Principles of Bylaws from Alberta Municipal Affairs states, "A proposed bylaw must not have more than two readings at a council meeting unless the councillors present unanimously agree to consider third reading. The MGA (Municipal Government Act) requires that before the meeting at which the first reading or third reading is to take place, each councillor present must be given or have had the opportunity to review the full text of the proposed bylaw."

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Pat Fule called for a special council meeting for today at 12:30 p.m. where the bylaw will go into final reading. It does not need unanimous consent to become law, but a majority vote. 

The special council meeting will be broadcasted live on the Town of Strathmore YouTube page for the public to watch.