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ENFORCING COVID19 RULES
Like most elected officials, I frequently hear from people concerned about others not obeying the “rules”. Many demand that we “do something about it” and punish the offenders.
I will try to explain it isn’t that simple for local governments.
Like most elected officials, I frequently hear from people concerned about others not obeying the “rules”. Many demand that we “do something about it” and punish the offenders.
I will try to explain it isn’t that simple for local governments.
2/ Most of the “rules” made by our Provincial Health Officer are guidelines & not mandatory, including personal physical distancing.
While the mandatory orders that have been made ARE capable of being enforced by fines or detentions they ARE NOT being so enforced by & large.
While the mandatory orders that have been made ARE capable of being enforced by fines or detentions they ARE NOT being so enforced by & large.
3/ The Province has adopted a “graduated compliance and enforcement approach” which is set out in detail here:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/compliance_and_enforcement_guidance_march_31_2020.pdf?bcgovtm=20200319_GCPE_AM_COVID_4_NOTIFICATION_BCGOV_BCGOV_EN_BC__NOTIFICATION
Put simply, the Province has opted for persuasion over coercion so far in the Covid19 fight.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/compliance_and_enforcement_guidance_march_31_2020.pdf?bcgovtm=20200319_GCPE_AM_COVID_4_NOTIFICATION_BCGOV_BCGOV_EN_BC__NOTIFICATION
Put simply, the Province has opted for persuasion over coercion so far in the Covid19 fight.
4/ Bylaw officers
The primary burden of monitoring compliance with the Covid19 rules lies with local bylaw officers. @WestVanDistrict, for example, has 8 bylaw officers who collectively cover from 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week. With 3-4 officers on, it it’s a challenging task.
The primary burden of monitoring compliance with the Covid19 rules lies with local bylaw officers. @WestVanDistrict, for example, has 8 bylaw officers who collectively cover from 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week. With 3-4 officers on, it it’s a challenging task.
5/ Pursuant to Provincial policy, bylaw officers are NOT able to enforce the Prov. orders by fines or detention, nor can they otherwise compel compliance. Their role is solely to provide information & to monitor behaviour. They are NOT expected to monitor physical distancing.
6/ Bylaw officers can still issue standard tickets under general local bylaws, such as for parking violations. In #westvan, for example, officers have been issuing many parking tickets on the streets near park parking lots that have closed.
The above is true across BC.
The above is true across BC.
7/ Park Rangers
Like some municipalities, #westvan started its park rangers program this weekend. We currently have 7.
Rangers will work local parks to educate people on social distancing & patrol parking. They are NOT able to enforce the Provincial orders or local bylaws.
Like some municipalities, #westvan started its park rangers program this weekend. We currently have 7.
Rangers will work local parks to educate people on social distancing & patrol parking. They are NOT able to enforce the Provincial orders or local bylaws.
