Media Contacts

Jordan Turner

Media Relations
Emergency Management BC
250 952-5062

Backgrounders

Facts about B.C.'s state of emergency
  • Between Aug. 21, 2020, and March 26, 2021, 1,570 violation tickets were issued, including:
    • 242 $2,300 tickets to owners or organizers contravening the provincial health officer's (PHO) order on gatherings and events;
    • 48 $2,300 violation tickets for contravention of the PHO’s Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order, and
    • 1,280 $230 tickets issued to individuals who failed to comply with PHO orders.
  • The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is continually working to align the 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 128 violation tickets to individuals who were in contravention of the Federal Quarantine Act, totalling $217,494.
    • 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 25,045 COVID-19 related work site inspections.
  • Due to a Feb. 20, 2021, federal government change to the fine amounts issued for section 58 quarantine violations, there were discrepancies in B.C.’s reporting numbers in the March 2 and March 16, 2021, news releases regarding B.C.’s state of emergency. These news releases have been updated for clarification.
  • 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.