The B.C. government has once again extended the provincial state of emergency to manage the on-going response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The move extends the extraordinary powers handed to Port Coquitlam MLA and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth in mid-March under the Emergency Program Act.
“This pandemic is not over, and whether it's an end-of-summer gathering or hockey celebration, this is not the time to bend or break the rules. To those few who are not complying, there will be consequences,” said premiere John Horgan in a written statement.
Farnworth recently flexed those extraordinary power less than two weeks ago when he gave provincial enforcement officers the ability to issue $2,000 fines to the owners or organizes of parties that break the banned large gathering threshold of 50 people.
Between Aug. 21 and 28, six $2,000 fines were handed out, while a further four $200 tickets were gussied to individuals for not following the direction of police or staff at a restaurant or bar, according to a in a press release announcing the extended powers.
"It's disappointing to see behaviour that shows a blatant disregard for the safety of citizens. It's time to stop breaking the rules. It's time to do better. It's my hope that these enforcement measures will result in a change in behaviour and fewer violation tickets will be needed in the future,” said Farnworth in the release.
The state of emergency is now in place until Sept. 15, at which point the government can move to extend for the 14th time what has become the longest continuous state of emergency in the province’s history.
