By Josh Hall

COMPLY OR RISK PENALTIES

RCMP requested to begin enforcing Quarantine Act

Apr 10, 2020 | 12:01 PM

The RCMP say they have been asked to begin coordinating national enforcement of the Quarantine Act, which was enacted on March 25.

Unless specifically exempted, any person entering Canada must isolate or quarantine themselves for 14 days and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is requesting police agencies across Canada provide physical verification that individuals are complying with the mandatory order. These checks will be limited to persons who, after PHAC has done initial verifications by phone, text or email, may require a physical verification by police.

“The RCMP’s law enforcement role in response to this Federal Order is limited to non-compliance that occurs within its policing jurisdiction,” a release states. “The RCMP is also playing a coordination role for all Canadian law enforcement by ensuring the appropriate police of jurisdiction is provided with the information required to conduct physical verification of compliance with the Order, including taking any enforcement actions deemed appropriate by the police of jurisdiction.”

Officers will speak to the person, inform them of the law and explain the importance of compliance, as well as the potential consequences of non-compliance.

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Consequences include fines and imprisonment, including up to $750,000 or a jail sentence of six months. A person who causes a risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm to another person while willfully or recklessly contravening this Act or the regulations could be liable for a fine of up to $1,000,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or to both.

“Choosing to ignore mandatory isolation and quarantine orders is not only against the law, it’s also putting citizens, first responders, health professionals and the most vulnerable at risk of exposure to the virus,” says Brenda Lucki, RCMP Commissioner. “Collectively, everyone in Canada has a role to play to ensure compliance with isolation and physical distancing measures.”

Individuals charged under the Quarantine Act can be issued a court appearance notice or summons, rather than being taken into custody.

RCMP say that arrests would be a last resort, in part because it would also place officers at risk.