The mayor of Antigonish says politicians get in trouble when they don’t listen to health experts.
The end of July’s regular town council meeting, which took place Monday night, became heated when Jack MacPherson, one of the town’s councillors, asked to discuss their official stance on the re-opening of StFX; he was told it was too late, and it would have to be added to the agenda of a future meeting.
The next regular meeting is in September, after students return to campus; MacPherson said that would be too late.
After the meeting, Laurie Boucher, Antigonish’s mayor, told The Hawk the university’s re-opening plan was made in consultation with- and accepted by- provincial health experts.
“Dr. Strang (the province’s chief medical officer of health) has been leading us through this pandemic for the last four months,” she said. “Everybody was very (accepting) of his suggestions and the way it was going, so I view this as no different.”
During the meeting, Boucher said the reason our country has been successful battling COVID-19 is our political leaders have listened to the advice of our health professionals, and that’s what’s happening with StFX’s re-opening.
She said she’s heard from people on both sides when it comes to students returning to campus.
“Just like this council, there’s an underlying feel of concern, and reservations as well,” she said. “Right now, we have to come together as a community, and do what we can together.”
Boucher said council’s feeling on the decision is irrelevant, because it’s a provincial decision.
She said the plan on paper is just that- a plan on paper- but it gives her confidence it was vetted by public health officials.
