Facts About B.C.’s State of Emergency

Facts About B.C.’s State of Emergency

Posted on February 17, 2021 at 7:56 am by Bill Roberts
BC, Community


  • Between Aug. 21, 2020, and Feb. 12, 2021, 1,058 violation tickets were issued, including:
    • 170 $2,300 tickets to owners or organizers contravening the provincial health officer’s (PHO) order on gatherings and events,
    • 31 $2,300 violation tickets for contravention of the PHO Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order, and
    • 857 $230 tickets issued to individuals who refused to comply with direction from law enforcement.
  • The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is continually working to align Emergency Program Act (EPA) enforcement orders with those of the restrictions enacted by the PHO.
  • Additionally, since the pandemic began, police agencies in British Columbia have issued 94 violation tickets to individuals who were in contravention of the Federal Quarantine Act, totalling $102,695.
    • The purpose of the Quarantine Act is to protect public health by taking comprehensive measures to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases.
  • Since the start of the pandemic, WorkSafeBC has conducted 21,813 COVID-19 related work site inspections.
  • On Dec. 16, 2020, the Province announced enhanced enforcement measures to keep British Columbians safe and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. This included strengthening COVID-19 fine collection measures and asking provincial enforcement officers to support police and increase enforcement by issuing violation tickets during their normal course of duties or when in public places.
  • Declarations of provincial states of emergency may be issued by the minister responsible under the EPA.
  • The provincial government can extend the period of a declaration made by the minister responsible for further periods of up to 14 days at a time.