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

Changing COVID rules causing confusion: doctors

Changing COVID rules causing confusion: doctors
The national advocacy group representing Canada’s doctors said constant changes to restrictions have left people frustrated and are detrimental to its purpose.

Changing COVID rules causing confusion: doctors

Boy reports unprovoked attack in Esquimalt, B.C.

Boy reports unprovoked attack in Esquimalt, B.C.
Victoria police say the youth was on his way to school just after 8 a.m. Wednesday when he was grabbed and pulled from his bike by a man he did not know.

Boy reports unprovoked attack in Esquimalt, B.C.

Police probe fatal stabbing in Abbotsford, B.C.

Police probe fatal stabbing in Abbotsford, B.C.
A critically injured 35-year-old man was found in a tent and died a short time later in hospital.

Police probe fatal stabbing in Abbotsford, B.C.

Restrictions tighten amid third wave of COVID-19

Restrictions tighten amid third wave of COVID-19
Among the most sweeping changes are a four-week stay-at-home order and vaccines targeting hot spots announced by Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Wednesday.

Restrictions tighten amid third wave of COVID-19

N95 masks start rolling off Ontario assembly line

N95 masks start rolling off Ontario assembly line
The masks are being produced by 3M Canada following a multimillion-dollar deal between Ottawa and Queen's Park announced last August by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

N95 masks start rolling off Ontario assembly line

Nearly 1 million in B.C. have gotten COVID-19 shot

Nearly 1 million in B.C. have gotten COVID-19 shot
A joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says 946,096 doses of the three vaccines have been administered, and of those, more than 87,000 were second doses.

Nearly 1 million in B.C. have gotten COVID-19 shot