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
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
Canadian government proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.