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

Vancouver Police search for man wanted for hate crime at Chinese Cultural Centre

Vancouver Police search for man wanted for hate crime at Chinese Cultural Centre
Yves Castonguay, 47, was charged on March 30 for one count of public incitement of hatred and one count of mischief to property. He failed to attend his court date and is now wanted for arrest.

Vancouver Police search for man wanted for hate crime at Chinese Cultural Centre

'Highway of Tears' getting better cell coverage

'Highway of Tears' getting better cell coverage
The Highway 14 improvements will bring cell service to Port Renfrew, Shirley, Otter Point, Jordan River and some Pacheedaht First Nation communities.

'Highway of Tears' getting better cell coverage

Restrictions tighten amid third wave of COVID-19

Restrictions tighten amid third wave of COVID-19
The move comes a day after Premier Jason Kenney said widespread rule-breaking forced his government to shut down indoor dinning, curb indoor fitness and reduce retail capacity.

Restrictions tighten amid third wave of COVID-19

Canadians, Americans divided on vaccine 'passport'

Canadians, Americans divided on vaccine 'passport'
It found 52 per cent of Canadian respondents supported showing proof of vaccination, compared with 43 per cent of Americans.

Canadians, Americans divided on vaccine 'passport'

Highway 1 head-on crash in B.C. kills two

Highway 1 head-on crash in B.C. kills two
RCMP say a 73-year-old man driving a pickup crossed the centre line and hit a sedan coming in the opposite direction.

Highway 1 head-on crash in B.C. kills two

Skills program aims to shock-proof workforce

Skills program aims to shock-proof workforce
The Future Skills Centre is also slated to launch an online career search tool on Thursday alongside the Conference Board of Canada.

Skills program aims to shock-proof workforce