Protest organizers fined – again,

Organizers of a church service and a protest march were fined again this past weekend in Kelowna.

Police issued $2,300 tickets for violations of COVID-19-related public health orders against public gatherings.

“I want to reiterate that now is not the time to gather for any reason and put yourself or the community at risk,” Kelowna RCMP Supt. Kara Triance said in a Monday release.

“We are asking the community to take the necessary steps to protect one another and care for all by not gathering in groups at this time,” she said.

On Sunday, leaders of the Harvest Ministries International church on Harvey Avenue were given a $2,300 ticket.

It was the second such fine issued to the church, though police had been there previously seeking to obtain voluntary compliance with the order against public gatherings.

Church leaders have indicated they will continue to hold worship services despite the fines and have joined a legal challenge against the order on the grounds it violates constitutionally-protected rights.

On Saturday, dozens of people gathered in downtown Kelowna, continuing an ongoing weekly protest against mandatory maskwearing and other measures taken by the government to try curb the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

It was the third such fine issued to a man identified in media reports as David-Kevin Lindsay.

Those who receive such a ticket have 30 days to either pay the fine or file a notice with the provincial government indicating their intention to dispute the ticket or the fine amount.

If they do neither within the 30 day time limit, the ticket-holder is considered to have pleaded guilty and the full amount is due immediately.

If the ticket is disputed, a ‘notice of hearing’ will be mailed to the person who received the ticket. The notice will have the date, time, and place where the hearing will take place in court.

“You must appear in person in court on the scheduled hearing date or have an agent (family member or friend) or legal counsel appear on your behalf,” the provincial government website states.

“If you don’t appear in court on the hearing date and do not file an affidavit, the full ticketed amount will become due and payable immediately,” the website states.

Dan McLoughlin, spokesperson for the BC Prosecution Service, wrote in an email: “Generally, the BC Prosecution Services is not involved in prosecuting ticket offences. These are handled by the police agency issuing the ticket.”