Manitoba health minister apologizes for breaking public health orders
Manitoba's health minister has apologized after appearing in a photo breaking the indoor mask mandate at an event over the weekend.
Pictures shared on Facebook Sunday by Families Minister Rochelle Squires show herself, along with Health Minister Audrey Gordon and Minister Cathy Cox (Sport Culture and Heritage), posing for a photo with a group of people at an event at the Winnipeg Art Gallery – all are unmasked.
"It's unfortunate and it was wrong and that should not have happened and for that I deeply apologize," Gordon said during a news conference on Monday.
"I do believe that as minister of health I should be held to higher standard and I have always upheld that standard."
Gordon said she had attended a social event at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and had removed her mask while sitting at her table to eat and drink.
"While I was seated at the table I was asked to pose for a photo, and I got up and joined the group in the photo neglecting to wear my mask," Gordon said.
"I want to apologize for that because as the health minister, as I said, I have been a role model in terms of the restrictions and encouraging individuals to adhere to the restrictions and at that one particular time I do regret that I didn't think much deeper about my decision to pose for the photo. And for that I ask for forgiveness – I feel very badly about that today."
Squires and Cox also apologized for not wearing a mask in the photo.
A spokesperson for the Winnipeg Art Gallery told CTV News it held its annual fundraising gala on Saturday evening.
"Guests were advised to wear face masks when not seated unless taking a sip of a drink. Some chose to remove masks for a moment to have their photo taken," the spokesperson said in a statement.
"We increased staff and volunteer presence to escort guests to tables, to hold doors open to reduce contact points, to remind guests to wear masks throughout the evening, and to increase sanitization."
The spokesperson said proof of double immunization was required from guests at the event.
Current public health orders require masks be worn in indoor public places, but specify that masks can be removed temporarily when eating or drinking. Manitoba currently has a $298 fine in place for violating the indoor mask mandate rule.
Gordon said she has not heard if she will be fined, but said if she is handed a ticket – she will pay it.
Correction
EDITOR'S NOTE: The spokesperson from the Winnipeg Art Gallery revised their initial statement to say the following:
"Guests were advised to wear face masks when not seated unless taking a sip of a drink. Some chose to remove masks for a moment to have their photo taken."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.