Close X
Saturday, November 30, 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

B.C. raises fines for breaking COVID-19 rules

B.C. raises fines for breaking COVID-19 rules
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says it's become clear in the last few months that the risk of paying the ticket isn't enough of a deterrence.

B.C. raises fines for breaking COVID-19 rules

No choice but scramble on COVID-19: AG

No choice but scramble on COVID-19: AG
She also found the government's financial support programs rolled out well, but now extensive efforts will be needed to ensure the money went where it was supposed to.

No choice but scramble on COVID-19: AG

Forces ombud backs predecessor's handling of Vance

Forces ombud backs predecessor's handling of Vance
While Lick says he would not have been able to speak to either, the head of the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service indicated to the committee that Sajjan himself could have referred the matter to his unit.

Forces ombud backs predecessor's handling of Vance

Vancouver Police are looking for help identifying suspect in Art Gallery mischief

Vancouver Police are looking for help identifying suspect in Art Gallery mischief
The person filming is a dark-skinned man and appears to be between 19 and 23 years old. He has a thin build, brown eyes, and black shoulder length curly hair.

Vancouver Police are looking for help identifying suspect in Art Gallery mischief

Canada surpasses 10 per cent vaccination mark

Canada surpasses 10 per cent vaccination mark
Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada's deputy chief public health officer, announced on Thursday that the country had surpassed the 10 per cent mark of residents over 18 who have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.

Canada surpasses 10 per cent vaccination mark

Feds earmark $7.2 billion for health, cities

Feds earmark $7.2 billion for health, cities
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says COVID-19 has placed extreme pressure on health-care systems across the country and Canadians need help urgently.

Feds earmark $7.2 billion for health, cities