Enforcement plan for additional health restrictions for private gatherings still up in air
Many questions remain following the province’s announcement Wednesday of additional health restrictions for private gatherings.
Starting September 16, unvaccinated people will not be able to gather in a social private setting. Eligible vaccinated individuals can have one other household in their home for a maximum of 10 with no restrictions for children under 12. Those living alone may have up to two non-household vaccinated close contacts. As for outdoor gatherings, the maximum limit is 200 with physical distancing for people not in the same household.
Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld said restrictions on households this time around is much more complicated to enforce.
“There were things in there like not having unvaccinated members of your family or people visit and so how will we know?” he said.
“If we start to get complaints about that (sort of thing then) whose role will that be and how do we figure that out?”
Neufeld said he was planning on speaking with the province on Thursday to get some more clarity on how officers can enforce the additional health measures.
MORE ENFORCEMENT POWER FOR PEACE OFFICERS
The latest restrictions are not as limiting compared to the ones implemented last November where officers were able to write tickets for fines up to $1000 per individual violating the rules against indoor social activities.
The province even gave more powers to community peace officers to allow them to ticket people violating public health restrictions.
Mayor Nenshi said the justice minister unilaterally removed those powers for peace officers and says there were complications in the summer after that decision.
“There was actually a point this summer where we had gotten rid of the mask bylaw but the province had the mask bylaw in transit but our transit peace officers didn’t have the right to enforce a bylaw in their vehicles. It was ridiculous.”
The Mayor’s Innovation Challenge is designed to encourage creative thinkers to pitch ideas on sustainable energy solutions to build a more resilient community. The deadline for submissions has been extended to June 18.
Nenshi added that the city had to implement its own mask bylaw, so that peace officers could enforce those breaking the rules. He said he plans to do the same for other health restrictions.
“If the justice minister does not before the end of the week give our peace officers back the ability to enforce the public health orders then I will strongly consider bringing council back to pass a bylaw so that our peace officers have the ability to do that.” said Nenshi.
Furthermore, Nenshi says the time for education is long passed and it is time for enforcement.
There are numerous ways citizens can notify authorities if they see others violating health restrictions:
Contact the city at 311
Contact an AHS public health inspector at 1-833-415-9179
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.