New measures to enforce COVID-19 public safety
-- Sept 2020
CPPNews-Victoria - On Friday, August
21, 2020, Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
issued an order giving police and other provincial enforcement officers the
ability to issue $2,000 violation tickets for owners or organizers contravening
the provincial health officer’s (PHO) order on gatherings and events.
The order also give these
authorities the ability to issue $200 violation tickets to individuals not
following the direction of police or enforcement staff at events
or who refuse
to comply with requests to follow PHO orders or safe operating procedures, or
respond with abusive behaviour.
Effective immediately, these new
measures are enacted under the provincial state of emergency, using the
extraordinary powers of the Emergency Program Act (EPA) in ongoing support of
B.C.’s COVID-19 response and Restart Plan.
“These orders will help us put a
stop to the selfish acts of a small minority of British Columbians, who are threatening
to erode the progress our province has made in controlling COVID-19,” said Mike
Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “While I’m
disappointed these measures are now necessary, I am taking this action to give
police agencies and provincial enforcement officers the ability to take action
against those who are putting people’s lives at risk.”
In addition to enabling action from
police, the Province is enlisting compliance and enforcement staff from
provincial ministries to support enforcement and help issue tickets for the
duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes liquor, cannabis and gaming
inspectors, community safety unit inspectors and conservation officers.
“As a regional federation of local
governments, we welcome these new measures, and we look forward to
collaborating with the Province to ensure a co-ordinated and thoughtful
response to COVID-19,” said Linda Buchanan, vice-chair, Metro Vancouver board
of directors. “Metro Vancouver will continue its critical role as a convener on
ideas and strategies for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our region and
supporting the Province in keeping COVID-19 at bay."
The enforcement focus will be on
$2,000 fines to owners, operators and organizers for contraventions of the provincial
health officer’s order on gatherings and events. This includes hosting a
private party or public event in excess of 50 people, failing to provide
appropriate hand sanitation and washroom facilities, failing to provide
sufficient space in the venue for physical distancing, failing to obtain a list
of names and contacts at large event or having more than five guests
gathered in a vacation accommodation.
When required, police and other
provincial enforcement officers will also be able to actively enforce the order
and ticket a series of other infractions, including:
- $200 violation tickets for
individuals who actively encourage others to attend gatherings or events
that do not comply with established requirements, or refuse to leave or
disperse when directed to do so by enforcement officers; and,
- $200 violation tickets for
individuals who refuse to comply with requests to follow the PHO order or
safe operating procedures of a restaurant, bar or other licensed
establishment, or respond with abusive behaviour towards employees.
Violation tickets expand the
Province’s enforcement toolkit to support the COVID-19 response. Police and
other provincial enforcement officers will
independently exercise discretion to
issue tickets for Emergency Program Act order violations under the Offence
Act’s Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation.
If violation tickets do not act as a
deterrent, or in cases of particularly egregious contraventions or for repeat
offenders, police can recommend charges in relation to the offence. On
conviction, judicial penalties of up to $10,000 may be levied.
“ABLE BC is pleased to see the
Province step up compliance and enforcement during this recent surge in
COVID-19 cases, and we’re happy to assist where we can,” said Jeff Guignard,
executive director of the Alliance of Beverage Licensees. “Our primary concern
continues to be the health and safety of both patrons and workers in British
Columbia.”
Working in partnership with local
governments and other agencies, a comprehensive and integrated compliance and
enforcement regime is being built to manage the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
These violation tickets build on existing tools, such as the ability to suspend
or revoke the business or liquor licenses of problematic operators.
Quick Facts:
- The specifics around orders of
the PHO, including the numbers allowable at gatherings, will continue to
be set at the direction of the PHO.
- To report concerns around order
violations from event organizers, venues or individuals, contact your local
government’s bylaw office. Local bylaw officers can help followup on
concerns and engage the Unified Command Centre, police departments,
health officers and WorkSafeBC as necessary. If unable to reach a local
bylaw office, contact your local police department’s non-emergency line.
- An additional measure in this
Emergency Program Act order is the requirement for compliance and
enforcement agencies (i.e., police departments, local authorities) to
report on these activities when requested.
Learn More: For recommendations on protecting yourself and your
community, including for employers, businesses, schools and those planning
events for fewer than 50 people, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
For a list of provincial health
officer orders, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
For more information on non-medical
issues like travel recommendations and how to manage social isolation,
visit: www.gov.bc.ca/COVID-19
Learn more about B.C.'s economic
recovery planning: http://gov.bc.ca/recoveryideas
For information on BC's Restart
Plan, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/RestartBC
Learn more about industry-specific
guidance and resources: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates/covid-19-returning-safe-operation
For information on federal and
provincial government supports available to individuals, families, businesses
and organizations, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covidgovernmentbenefits
For more information and latest
medical updates on COVID-19, follow the BC Centre for Disease Control on
Twitter @CDCofBC or visit its website: http://www.bccdc.ca