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
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
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.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
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.
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.