By Liam Verster

COVID-19 Violation fines

Fines starting at $1,000 can be issued to violators of public health orders

Apr 3, 2020 | 1:42 PM

RCMP, police, and peace officers in Alberta can now issue fines to anyone found violating the public health orders surrounding COVID-19.

Sergeant Shawn Graham with the Grande Prairie RCMP, says though they can issue fines, they will not be led on any calls of violations of the orders, nor will they be stopping people and checking them for symptoms.

Instead, Alberta Health Services’ Public Health Inspectors will be the ones responding to complaints or reports, and the RCMP will only get involved if their support is requested.

“So, let’s say if the subject of the complaint that comes in is not responsive, or they’re unwilling to follow the guidance of the Public Health Inspector, at that point the complaint will be triaged to the appropriate enforcement agency.”

Graham adds that, when they’re available, Community Police Officers will be the ones responding to these requests, in order to allow the RCMP officers to be available for day-to-day policing. Though if no CPO’s are available, then officers will follow up on these requests.

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He says, under the Provincial Offences Procedures Act, both community police and RCMP officers can issue fines of $1,000 to people violating the health orders, but depending on the situation, those charges could significantly increase.

“The courts, they have increased powers to administer fines of up to $100,000 for first offence, and $500,000 for a subsequence offence, but that’s going to be for the serious violations, and it will be up to the court to determine that.”

He says, as with any crime, the reports of violations will be properly investigated.

“You get the information as to what’s the complaint, and who’s involved, and then you have to follow up and determine what the evidence is, and indeed if there is evidence to support a charge, or not support a charge.”

Since the Public Health Inspectors will be in charge of responding to these cases, Graham asks that anyone with complaints or concerns of someone violating the public health orders to contact Alberta Health Services to file a report.

Graham says the Grande Prairie RCMP are taking steps to protect themselves during this pandemic, by using personal protective equipment and self-monitoring, as they want to stay safe and healthy, in order to ensure they are able to serve the public.

Meanwhile, Graham asks that Grande Prairie residents, and all Albertans, take responsibility when it comes to COVID-19, and to follow all of the government’s provisions, in order to prevent an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Grande Prairie, and help flatten the curve.