Cst. Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer for the Prince George RCMP, says the initial confusion for officers over where and when a ticket is warranted have been cleared up with the most recent communications following the extension of the COVID-19 restrictions to Feb. 5.

The tickets issued under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act (July 8, 2020) since the spring have been for oversize gatherings and refusal to wear a mask in a public area.

Prince George RCMP focus on public education and prevention of COVID-19 restriction violations. Photo courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

To date, Prince George RCMP have issued four tickets for violations relating to the COVID-19 public health restrictions, a relatively small number considering the size of the city says Cst. Cooper. She says that most people have complied with the public health orders and that this has allowed the RCMP is focus on education.

While some have expressed concern that enforcement could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as unhoused or marginally housed people, those without reliable access to personal protective equipment, small businesses, and essential workers, Cst. Cooper says that the fines are intended for those who are making an informed and conscious decision to contravene the act.

"Every enforcement action is up to the officers discretion and officers in Prince George are trained to take factors like that into consideration", says Cst. Cooper.

Listen to the interview on CFUR-FM: