Smithers had another freedom rally on the weekend and mayor Gladys Atrill expressed her dismay in the gathering.

"Generally we rely on people to do the right thing," Atrill said in regards to the way most Smithereens were responding to stricter COVID-19 pandemic measures for gatherings in public and in your private residence.

"What's happening now is we are seeing a relatively few people who are voicing displeasure," the mayor said. "Fortunately, we also have an RCMP detachment in our community and they are using the tools they have to try to prevent people or discourage people from doing this through fines and charges where possible."

According to the BC government website, you are subject to a $230 violation ticket if you:

• Do not wear a mask in an indoor public setting, unless you are exempt
• Refuse to comply with the direction of an enforcement officer, including the direction to leave the space
• Engage in abusive or belligerent behaviour in relation to the face coverings order
• Attend a non-compliant event or gathering

A freedom rally organizer in Smithers was issued the highest fine of $2,350 for organizing the last rally. Smithers council candidate Randy Bell (who received his own fine and subsequent Facebook fame for not wearing a mask in the Credit Union last year) encouraged that if you get a fine to not pay it.

"We just to admit that we have health protocols and that this is a different situation than what we've been in before," Atrill said. "And we need to find a way for people to understand that there is a greater risk to community by flouting these protocols now than simply dig in and do this together to get through this pandemic quickly."