{"id":4358,"date":"2020-08-22T00:00:56","date_gmt":"2020-08-22T04:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.nfshost.com\/?p=4358"},"modified":"2020-08-22T00:01:19","modified_gmt":"2020-08-22T04:01:19","slug":"new-ferocious-arbitrary-stalinist-fines-for-defying-b-c-s-covid-medico-dictatorship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cafe.nfshost.com\/?p=4358","title":{"rendered":"New Ferocious & Arbitrary Stalinist Fines for Defying B.C.’S COVID Medico-Dictatorship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Police\nand other provincial enforcement officers are being given the ability to issue\n$2,000 violation tickets for owners or organizers contravening the provincial\nhealth officer\u2019s (PHO) order on gatherings and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\nwill also be able to issue $200 violation tickets to individuals not following\nthe direction of police or enforcement staff at events or who refuse to comply\nwith requests to follow PHO orders or safe operating procedures, or respond\nwith abusive behaviour.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Effective\nimmediately, these new measures are enacted under the provincial state of\nemergency, using the extraordinary powers of the Emergency Program Act (EPA) in\nongoing support of B.C.\u2019s COVID-19 response and Restart Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese\norders will help us put a stop to the selfish acts of a small minority of\nBritish Columbians, who are threatening to erode the progress our province has\nmade in controlling COVID-19,\u201d said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety\nand Solicitor General. \u201cWhile I\u2019m disappointed these measures are now\nnecessary, I am taking this action to give police agencies and provincial\nenforcement officers the ability to take action against those who are putting\npeople\u2019s lives at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\naddition to enabling action from police, the Province is enlisting compliance\nand enforcement staff from provincial ministries to support enforcement and\nhelp issue tickets for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes\nliquor, cannabis and gaming inspectors, community safety unit inspectors and\nconservation officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs\na regional federation of local governments, we welcome these new measures, and\nwe look forward to collaborating with the Province to ensure a co-ordinated and\nthoughtful response to COVID-19,\u201d said Linda Buchanan, vice-chair, Metro\nVancouver board of directors. \u201cMetro Vancouver will continue its critical role\nas a convener on ideas and strategies for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in\nour region and supporting the Province in keeping COVID-19 at bay.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nenforcement focus will be on $2,000 fines to owners, operators and organizers\nfor contraventions of the provincial health officer\u2019s order on gatherings and\nevents. This includes hosting a private party or public event in excess of 50\npeople, failing to provide appropriate hand sanitation and washroom facilities,\nfailing to provide sufficient space in the venue for physical distancing,\nfailing to obtain a list of names and contacts at  large event or having\nmore than five guests gathered in a vacation accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\nrequired, police and other provincial enforcement officers will also be able to\nactively enforce the order and ticket a series of other infractions, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n