In addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Canada is also dealing with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). On Monday, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said the country is entering a flu epidemic, where flu cases are increasing further beyond the seasonal limit. Although Canada’s public health chief Theresa Tam told a news conference that a mask is still recommended, implementing a mask mandate “is up to provincial authorities to decide what they could do in their own context.”

		Read more: Doctor urges Canadians to ‘avoid getting infected’ and cover up amid virus outbreak 		
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			Doctor urges Canadians to ‘avoid getting infected’ and contain virus surge

Story continues below ad Here’s what the provinces and territories are doing so far. On Monday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told reporters the province will not allow further cover-up orders for children in Alberta’s K-12 education system. Smith has said multiple times that Alberta will not reinstate mask mandates in classrooms despite more students staying home due to illness, Global News reported. Alberta’s top priority right now is addressing the shortage of Tylenol for children and long wait times in emergency rooms, Smith said. 1:36 Meds over masking: Premier Smith reiterates no school mask mandate as Alberta virus cases rise A group of organizations called on BC Premier-designate David Eby, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside to immediately reinstate the mask mandate in all public places, Global News reported Tuesday. Story continues below ad Eby, Dix and Whiteside have yet to respond to the letter. BC withdrew its mask mandate for public indoor spaces on March 11. In a letter written on March 16, BC’s Human Rights Commissioner criticized the province’s decision to drop its mask mandate, adding that its “precipitous end” would have a “profoundly inequitable impact” on society.

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Manitoba Premier Heather Stephenson has said the province does not yet have a plan to reinstate the mask mandate. He added that people are encouraged to wear a mask if they are sick. Manitoba lifted all COVID-19-related restrictions, including mask mandates, on March 15, and the province’s website says “individuals can choose to wear a mask based on personal preference.” Story continues below ad In a statement to Global News, the New Brunswick Department of Health said the mask has become “a personal choice based on their personal level of risk.” “Public Health recommended and continues to recommend that New Brunswickers assess their own levels of risk when determining what precautions to use in their daily lives regarding COVID-19 and other seasonal viruses,” it said. The department added that public health officials will determine whether a new approach is necessary “if the situation changes” and make new recommendations to the provincial government. 2:09 Mask debate in New Brunswick as respiratory illnesses rise Nova Scotia withdrew all public coverage mandates in July and currently has no plans to reinstate such mandates. Current trend

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Story continues below ad Wearing a mask is just one of many ways Nova Scotians can protect themselves and their loved ones from the spread of COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory viruses like RSV, the Department of Health and Wellness said in an email to Global News. “We encourage everyone to continue the healthy habits they’ve learned and stay current on the COVID-19 and flu vaccines,” it said. “As we have done throughout the pandemic, Public Health continues to evaluate the recommendations and will notify Nova Scotians if changes are made.”

		Read more: ‘Right where we knew we’d be’: Early start of respiratory virus era in NS

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Sunday that Ontarians should wear a mask at all times if possible, but did not respond to a question about whether the province would mandate a mask. Story continues below ad On Monday, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore has urged people to wear masks regularly as emergency departments prepare for “an extreme surge” amid flu season and rising pressure from respiratory illnesses. Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones said Tuesday that wearing a mask is a personal choice. In a statement to Global News, the government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) said the province is experiencing an increase in respiratory illnesses, as are other provinces across Canada. “The mask mandate remains in place for hospitals and long-term care and community care homes in PEI,” it says. “At this time, there is no public mask mandate.” Quebec Premier Francois Lego said Tuesday the government will not reinstate the mask mandate for public places. Story continues below ad Quebec’s health minister and director of public health are expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday, where they are expected to recommend masks instead of mandating them, The Canadian Press reported. The Quebec College of Physicians announced Sunday that the public should wear masks as the province grapples with an explosion of respiratory viral illnesses in children and an overflow of pediatric emergencies. Quebec ended its mask mandate for indoor public spaces on May 14 and lifted its mask mandate for public transportation on June 18. 2:37 Quebec not planning to reinstate mask mandate: Legault With the alarming increase in respiratory virus cases in children and the overflow of pediatric emergencies, the College of Physicians is again recommending the use of masks in public places to protect themselves and others. — College of Physicians of Quebec (@CMQ_org) November 13, 2022 Story continues below ad In an email to Global News, the Saskatchewan government said the province has no plans to reinstate mask mandates. Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman told reporters Monday that he doesn’t think there should be mask mandates, adding that it’s an individual’s decision to wear them. There were no discussions or recommendations from Saskatchewan’s top doctor, Dr. Saqib Shahab, about bringing back the mask mandates at this time, Merriman said. In an email to Global News, the Northwest Territories government said coverage and other major public health orders are no longer mandatory in the territory from April 1, after the public health emergency ended. Story continues below ad “The current recommendations are to stay home when you are sick. Practice healthy habits, such as washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough. stay up to date with vaccinations. and wear a mask if you are at high risk for serious outcomes or participate in higher risk activities,” it said, adding that the recommendations apply not only to COVID-19 but to all respiratory diseases.

			Newfoundland and Labrador

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, said the province would not implement a mask mandate as such a measure could only be put in place in a public health emergency at a news conference Tuesday. “Without a public health emergency, CMOH cannot bring any mask mandate,” Fitzgerald said. “At this point I don’t think we have the evidence to support enforcing the orders,” Fitzgerald said, adding that Newfoundland and Labrador doesn’t have as many cases of flu and COVID-19 as other provinces. Story continues below ad On July 14, the Government of Nunavut announced that masks are no longer mandated by the public health order for health facilities across Nunavut. While masks are no longer mandatory in Nunavut schools and provincial government workplaces, all community health centres, seniors’ facilities and Qikiqtani and Akausisarvik General Hospital in Iqaluit will continue to require patients and staff to wear masks. to wear masks. Yukon lifted its state of emergency and most of its COVID-19 public health measures on March 18, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver announced in March. Story continues below ad Yukon also lifted mask mandates in schools as of May 24. — with files from Global’s Aaron D’Andrea, Amy Judd, Meaghan Archer, Isaac Callan, Colin D’Mello, Timothy Sargeant and The Canadian Press