“Local government has no public mandates”: Mayor Lori Ackerman addresses recent protests

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – While residents stood outside City Hall protesting COVID-19 rules on Monday, Mayor Lori Ackerman addressed recent protests, saying they have been “misdirected” towards local government officials, who have no say on provincial mandates.

“The anger with local government is misplaced. People need to understand that they vote three times. If they wanted the municipality to do it all, you’d only have to vote once,” said Ackerman during a council meeting Monday.

On February 8th, council voted in favour of Ackerman drafting and publishing a public letter to provide information to protesters. The letter outlines the role of local government, where to direct COVID-19 mandate concerns, and encourage the provincial government to clarify compliance.

In the council survey by email, all councillors voted yes to the letter, except for councillor Gord Klassen, who did not cast a vote.

In a report to council, CAO Milo MacDonald says recent disruptions to city facilities have displayed the need for clarification on provincial health orders.

Ackerman notes that protests in the city have been peaceful, and the city isn’t against people doing so. However, she repeats that the local government cannot make changes and has no public mandates.

Moving forward, all letters sent to the city will be accepted and taken to the appropriate authorities, Ackerman said.

“A lot of people are fully vaccinated. Yes, we don’t know what’s in them. We don’t know what’s in bologna and hot dogs, but we eat those too. The anger with local government is misplaced,” Ackerman said.

Ackerman’s full letter to provincial leaders can be viewed below: