After reviewing the impacts of COVID 19 on the Town’s services and finances, the Town has made decisions that require temporary lay-offs and changes to its workforce.

COVID 19 and the Public Health Directives regarding facility closures and social distancing have affected the Town since early March and this impact is expected to be ongoing through 2020. The Town is not expecting the resumption of programming, events and other municipal services prior to September of this year and efforts continue to analyze and mitigate the financial impacts to the Town.

“COVID 19 continues to challenge our organization and our community. I am proud of how the community has followed the directives by Alberta Health Services, to protect themselves and each other. Our staff have also been excellent in every way and that makes this decision a very difficult but necessary one,” says Mayor William Choy. “The staff in this organization believe in the work they do, and I look forward to the day when this part of the challenge is behind us.”

Some of the recent decisions include the temporary layoff of 24 employees that were fulfilling casual positions and 6 full time positions in various roles. Further, 7 positions that are currently vacant will not be filled at this time. The Town is also significantly reducing the hiring of summer seasonal positions while redeploying existing staff to these roles.

“When we think of all the good programs and services the Town provides, we have to think of the good people that do this work. COVID 19 has really changed what we will be doing over the next few months and we must adapt to this reality. Unfortunately, this requires changes to our workforce for the next while,” says Town Manager Tom Goulden.

Town Council will be reviewing a revised 2020 Corporate Plan at its April 27 Regular Council Meeting.