Public health talking to Quebec military college after officer cadets appear to flout mask rules
Officer cadets at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean are used to following orders, but there are new questions about whether they're doing the same when it comes to following public health rules.
College members at the RMC in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., 40 kilometres south of Montreal, are allowed to sit in the classroom without a face mask, even though Quebec mandates all students in higher education wear one while seated in class.
According to the government directive, "Wearing the procedure mask is mandatory at all times for students, even when they are seated in class or at the library, with some exceptions during activities that require it."
That can include, for example, playing musical instruments or doing theatre.
However, Capt. Rachel Lefebvre, an RMC Saint-Jean public affairs officer, told CTV News in an email that all personnel, including officer cadets, can remove their face masks while seated in the classroom "if distancing themselves from other people sitting by at least one metre."
She added that "inside classrooms, the teacher’s desk is at least two metres from student desks. If laboratory or teamwork is required, not allowing the required distancing, mask wearing is required."
When asked to comment on the flouting of public health guidelines, Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services said that there might be some changes coming.
"Discussions are currently underway between the Royal Military College of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and the [local public health department] to explore possible solutions and means to adapt to the health regulations in effect in Quebec and to protect the population from an upsurge of the COVID-19 virus," wrote spokesperson Marie-Louise Harvey.
The email did not elaborate on what “solutions” are being discussed.
The revelation that officer cadets at RMC Saint-Jean weren't wearing masks was first reported by Radio-Canada.
Lefebvre noted that 96 per cent of all officer cadets have been fully vaccinated and that "RMC Saint-Jean follows COVID-19 preventive measures, as advised by the Canadian Forces Health Services and the regional public health authority."
She also said that students "are required to wear a mask when moving around inside all buildings on the campus."
The RMC also confirmed that officer cadets are free to leave campus on the weekends and return to the college, but that they must follow “all COVID-19 preventive measures as advised by the Canadian Forces Health Services and the regional public health authority.”
The news comes after a new study by McGill University researchers and others that says that without face masks, two-metre physical distancing might not be enough to prevent the spread of the coronavirus indoors.
“Mask mandates and good ventilation are critically important to curb the spread of more contagious strains of COVID-19," said study author Saad Akhtar in a release, "especially during the flu season and winter months as more people socialize indoors."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6941344.1719400735!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
She's still busy at 105. What secrets and science are behind Canada's 'super agers'?
There is ongoing research to better understand the relationship between social connection and healthy aging, and why the brains of super agers look different compared with their peers.
Charges pending after 3-year-old Edmonton boy struck, killed by truck in marked crosswalk
Police say charges are pending after a boy was killed and his mother and sister were injured in a crash in south Edmonton on Thursday.
Strong turnout in France's high-stakes elections as support for the far right grows
Voters across mainland France cast ballots Sunday in the first round of early parliamentary elections that could put the government in the hands of nationalist, far-right parties for the first time since the Nazi era.
The new airline rivalries: Air Canada vs. Porter, WestJet vs. Flair
In a country traditionally dominated by two national airlines, a new set of aviation rivalries has emerged. Porter is increasingly moving in on Air Canada's home turf of Central Canada as well as cross-country routes, while WestJet seeks to counter the threat of Flair Airlines in a shift from the decades-old industry dynamic of sparring between the two biggest carriers.
'Lab-grown' meat maker hosts Miami tasting party as Florida ban goes into effect
As Florida's ban on "lab-grown" meat is set to go into effect next week, one manufacturer hosted a last hurrah — at least for now — with a cultivated meat-tasting party in Miami.
Some of the wealthiest Canadians in Canada, according to Forbes
If you gathered all the wealth that billionaires currently have worldwide, you would have about US$14.2 trillion, according to Forbes Magazine. But what about in Canada alone?
Summer hours are a perk small businesses can offer to workers to boost morale
Business owners have found that offering summer hours – a reduced schedule on Fridays, usually between Victoria Day and Labour Day — can be a way to boost employee morale. Workers are able to deal with summer childcare gaps, return to the office refreshed and feel like their job values them, owners say.
German police believe man who climbed arena roof during Euro 2024 game was a would-be photographer
German police said Sunday they believe a man who scaled the roof of the stadium as Germany played Denmark at Euro 2024 was a would-be photographer and they have no evidence he intended to hurt anyone.
'7 years of regret': Raunchy leg piece wins bad tattoo competition at Edmonton Expo Centre
Friday night was a celebration of mistakes for a small group of body art enthusiasts.