The requirement that people visiting Service Canada offices must be masked has been dropped, a parliamentary committee has heard.
Conservative MP Rosemarie Falk told Gould about various complaints she has received from her constituents in a rural Saskatchewan riding regarding the area’s local Service Canada location, as first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter.
“My office is receiving an increasing number of phone calls with respect to limited services that are available to them through Service Canada,” said Falk.
Falk said she’s received complaints that there was “only a single person” working at her riding’s Service Canada office and also said that one of her constituents was “turned away from receiving service for not being masked ... despite having a medical exemption.”
“Why is there a mask mandate appropriate for Service Canada but not necessary in other federal government settings?” asked Falk.
“My understanding is masks now are encouraged but are not required,” replied Gould, saying Service Canada follows advice on the matter from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Gould said the decision to drop masking requirements for in-person visits to Service Canada locations was “a very recent policy change.”
“When did that change?” Falk asked.
Jean-François Tremblay, deputy minister of social development, said the policy change was announced by the federal Treasury Board on Feb. 10.
“When will the website reflect that?” Falk asked.
“We need to discuss with each of the health and security groups for the implementation, but that should be in the next days and weeks,” Tremblay answered.
