Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

COVID-19 enforcement powers not extended to bylaw officers

Police and other provincial enforcement officers were given the ability to crack down on non-compliance of COVID-19 orders.
hoops

Police will be able to crack down on those defying COVID-19 provincial health orders but an announcement Friday stops short of giving this ability to municipal bylaw officers.

Solicitor General Mike Farnworth announced Friday morning organizers of parties and large gatherings can be ticketed $2,000 by police – and individuals taking part can be hit with a $200 fine.

The enforcement measures are being enacted under the provincial state of emergency and allow police and other provincial enforcement officers, for example, liquor, cannabis and gaming inspectors, community safety unit inspectors and conservation officers, to issue these tickets.

“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 Farnworth, who is also the Minister of Public Safety. “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.”

City bylaw officers haven’t had the ability to issue fines for defying provincial health orders – the one ticket issued recently in Richmond to an organizer of several basketball games was for a bylaw infraction, not for defying a provincial order, explained city spokesperson Clay Adams – and this announcement doesn’t change that.

However, Adams clarified, it does fall within their expertise.

“We have made government aware that our officers are ready to support enforcement of orders should government choose to make that happen,” he added.

The enforcement focus will be on $2,000 fines to owners, operators and organizers who contravene the provincial health officer’s order on gatherings and events, according to the announcement.

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 a large event or having more than five guests gathered in a vacation accommodation.

The city reported earlier this summer that organized basketball games at city parks were especially problematic and they threatened to take down the hoops if they didn’t stop. Only four players are allowed at a time to play a game of basketball.

Adams said it has been a “frustration” for the city when people flaunted the rules and safety measures.

However, he clarified, the city’s position has always been to educate rather than enforce, adding “we will continue to work with the RCMP on ensuring compliance with the public health orders where necessary.”