Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Police group pushes back on B.C. roadblocks

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Apr, 2021 11:09 PM
  • Police group pushes back on B.C. roadblocks

British Columbia's solicitor general says the government will release details of what is considered essential travel later in the week as the province considers using roadblocks to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Mike Farnworth described the checkpoints as a type of "counterattack," often used to find drunk drivers, but this time meant to discourage recreational travel outside of a person's health authority.

His comments come as the National Police Federation released a statement saying it has "grave concerns" about police taking part in enforcing a COVID-19 ban on non-essential travel.

A statement from Brian Sauvé, president of the federation, says asking the police to enforce roadblocks puts even greater pressure on limited resources and exposes officers to further risk and possible COVID-19 infections.

"Equally important, we are continuing to enhance and build on our relationships with vulnerable and racialized communities, and the ambiguity and potentially negative impacts of these orders risk reversing this progress," he said.

He also pointed to a similar attempt in Ontario where the province had to pedal back enforcement measures.

Officers were originally given powers to stop any pedestrian or driver to ask why they're out or request their home address. But on Sunday, Doug Ford's government limited police to being able to stop people who they had reason to believe were participating in an "organized public event or social gathering.''

Police forces in Ontario had said they had no intention of exercising their new powers ahead of the reversal.

Sauvé noted that police services took the "unusual step" of rejecting the orders.

"They explained in no uncertain terms that Ontario police officers had no appetite to act on enhanced powers that are typically found in police states, and that doing so would erode a currently fragile public trust, especially with vulnerable and racialized communities," he said.

The province reported 862 new cases of COVID-19 today and seven more deaths.

A statement says more than 1.4 million doses of the vaccine have been administered and people who are 30 years and older are eligible to register for the vaccine in the age-based vaccination program.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada mulls allowing more workers to cross border

Canada mulls allowing more workers to cross border
The Canada-U.S. border has been closed to people travelling for vacations and other non-essential visits since March 2020 to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Canada mulls allowing more workers to cross border

B.C. sets new daily COVID-19 case record

B.C. sets new daily COVID-19 case record
There are 9,184 active cases, including 336 people in hospital, 101 of whom are in critical care.

B.C. sets new daily COVID-19 case record

Variants higher than reported: BCCDC scientist

Variants higher than reported: BCCDC scientist
Data scientists have been calling for more timely, comprehensive information about the variants of concern in B.C. in order to help residents understand the seriousness of the threat and to persuade those who are ignoring public-health orders to follow them.

Variants higher than reported: BCCDC scientist

COVID19 outbreak declared at Segal Centre at Vancouver General Hospital

COVID19 outbreak declared at Segal Centre at Vancouver General Hospital
Vancouver Coastal Health has immediately implemented strict infection prevention and control protocols to prevent further transmission of COVID-19.

COVID19 outbreak declared at Segal Centre at Vancouver General Hospital

Clinicians advised to limit use of COVID drug

Clinicians advised to limit use of COVID drug
The COVID-19 science advisory table says the drug is recommended for critically and moderately ill COVID-19 patients within 14 days of hospital admission.

Clinicians advised to limit use of COVID drug

Ambassador sees new leverage in lumber dispute

Ambassador sees new leverage in lumber dispute
Kirsten Hillman told a British Columbia forest industry conference that high lumber prices could affect U.S. President Joe Biden's ability to fulfil his pandemic recovery goals, which include more affordable, environmentally friendly housing.

Ambassador sees new leverage in lumber dispute