‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’
‘Enough is enough,’ Farnworth tells defiant organizers of large parties
Under a new order unveiled on Friday by Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, anyone in B.C. caught throwing a large party can now be fined $2,000 as the province takes strict measures to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth pulled no punches Friday as he announced a crackdown on a “small minority of selfish individuals” and gave B.C. law enforcement officials the power to impose a $2,000 fine on organizers of large parties in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Police and special constables can now hand out tickets to event organizers and property owners contravening the ban on gatherings of more than 50 people, while people who don’t follow the direction of officers or respond with abusive behaviour can be hit with a $200 fine.
“Enough is enough,” Farnworth said at a news conference.
“It’s time to take a tougher stance. … A party is not worth someone’s life.”
The announcement came after several weeks of steadily rising COVID-19 case numbers, including several single-day records, and continued pleas by health officials for people to stop gathering in large groups.
On Friday, officials announced 90 new cases and two deaths. The number of people in hospital rose to 13 from 11 the day before, with five in intensive care. The B.C. death toll is now 202.
Since the early days of the novel coronavirus pandemic, B.C. has earned praise for reducing the spread of COVID-19 without using tough enforcement measures.
Farnworth returned to the same messaging Friday, urging people to continue to be selfless.
“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,” he said.
In particularly egregious cases or with repeat offenders, police can recommend charges, with a judge able to impose penalties of up to $10,000.
Vancouver police Const. Tania Visintin said the department is working to ensure all officers are “trained in their new legal authorities.”
Police and special constables, such as conservation officers and liquor enforcement officers, will work with municipal bylaw officers, who often have a good handle on where problem properties are and where events are being held.
The public is asked to call their local bylaw office, or if it is closed, a police non-emergency line, to report concerns.
Earlier this week, a party was advertised for Wreck Beach, with the organizer asking people not to wear masks, a direct violation of B.C.’S public health order.
Photos and reports of other parties have made headlines in recent weeks, while health officials have also issued exposure alerts for several bars and nightclubs.
Simon Fraser University criminologist Rob Gordon said the new measures appear to be targeted at organizers, not individuals.
“The idea is to be a pain in the backside and get these guys to shut down voluntarily,” he said. “I don’t think it’s aimed at individual people who are partying. They’ve got their sights on the organizers of events.”
Gordon added that if the province wants to step up enforcement even more, it could force people to pay their tickets before their drivers’ licences can be renewed. Another option is to turn off the power and water to party houses, as has been done in Los Angeles.
But Harsha Walia, executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, said any legislation that allows police to enter a private home without a warrant should be approached with caution.
“We may see this play out in the courts,” she said.
Walia was also hesitant about the discretionary power to ticket individuals who refuse to leave a gathering.
She said she is worried that Indigenous, Black and homeless people could be disproportionately affected, as has been the case in other provinces where fines are in place.
“We need to be incredibly vigilant,” she said.
Joel Bakan, a University of B.C. law professor, said the measures seem “carefully tailored” to avoid penalizing participants, such as someone casually having a beer in an overcrowded bar. The real consequences are set out for organizers, businesses and property owners.
While Bakan didn’t rule out the possibility of a court challenge, he said it would be “very unlikely” that a court would find the enforcement unconstitutional given that “the spread of COVID could be deadly.”
“I think the best thing for both citizens and businesses is to get a handle on the virus,” Bakan added.
In a statement Friday afternoon, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Reka Gustafson, B.C.’S deputy provincial health officer, said the new enforcement measures would “help to shore up a gap that has emerged.”
But Dix and Gustafson emphasized the people choosing to disregard public health orders are an exception, saying they are heartened that the vast majority of people in B.C. are doing their part to protect themselves and each other.