Province cracking down on unpaid tickets
B.C. plans to deny driver's licence and auto insurance to anyone with outstanding COVID-19 fines
If you have an unpaid COVID-19 fine in British Columbia, you may not be able to renew your driver's licence or auto insurance.
B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said the government will change the Motor Vehicle Act to allow ICBC to deny a driver's licence or vehicle licence to anyone with outstanding fines handed out under the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act.
“Too many people in this province ... who think the (COVID restrictions) don't apply to them also think they can get away scot-free without having to pay the fine. They're not going to be able to do it anymore,” Farnworth said.
British Columbia has been under a state of emergency since March 18, 2020. The declaration allows police to issue tickets to those who defy health orders, such as the ban on social gatherings.
As of May 8, ICBC had processed 1,679 COVID-19 violation tickets totally nearly $1.18 million but only 14 per cent of that total, just under $173,000, has been paid.
While people have the right to dispute their fine, Farnworth said if they lose “you're going to have to pay that fine.”
In December, ICBC started sending unpaid fines to collection agencies after 30 days.
Farnworth said the new rules will also apply to unpaid federal quarantine tickets.
The new rules are expected to be in effect starting July 1.
Meanwhile, B.C. reported 600 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday as Premier John Horgan celebrated the news that more than 50 per cent of B.C.'s eligible population have received a first dose of vaccine.
“COVID-19 has turned our lives upside down, but this milestone gives us hope of better days ahead. We have to keep going,” said Horgan.
“We need all British Columbians to help make sure as many people as possible get their shots. Register today and talk to your friends, family and neighbours and make sure they're registered, too.”
More than 2.77 million doses of vaccines have been administered in B.C., including 115,295 second doses.
On Wednesday, the province opened vaccination bookings to all people 30 years old and over.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said health officials are currently working on a plan to give the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to youth aged 12 to 18 now that Health Canada has approved its use.
B.C. has recorded 137,223 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. There are 5,887 active cases, including 423 individuals who are being treated in hospital and 141 in intensive care.
It also reported one new death on Wednesday, pushing the provincial death toll to 1,625.