Justice minister defends Manitoba's enforcement of COVID-19 measures
Manitoba’s justice minister is defending the government’s enforcement of public health orders.
“Where compliance isn’t happening, we will be there,” Cameron Friesen told reporters Monday after question period.
Responding to questions and concerns over what some see as a lack of enforcement of repeat offenders, Friesen argued the government’s measures are the most significant regime for COVID-19 of any province.
He pointed out more tickets were handed out in the most recent enforcement report – a total of 33 for various violations – compared with the week prior.
“Enforcement is significantly up compared to the week before,” Friesen said. “In tickets, in Quarantine Act violations, business tickets, failure to self-isolate.”
Under Manitoba’s current public health orders, proof of vaccination is required to dine in restaurants and to go to bars or pubs and attend some other events.
It’s also required to attend services at places of worship — people who aren’t vaccinated can only attend if capacity limits are put in place.
“The numbers that can attend are significantly reduced when you have unvaccinated people attending,” Friesen said. “Far greater numbers in attendance if you’re demonstrating that you are vaccinated.”
It’s an area critics argue the government needs to improve on to crack down on repeat offenders who flagrantly disobey and defy health orders.
“We know the government has to do a better job at ensuring folks are adhering to the public health measures,” said Nahanni Fontaine, the NDP’s justice critic.
Dougald Lamont, leader of the Manitoba Liberals, said most businesses are doing their part, pointing to the case of a Progressive Conservative MLA who left a South Osborne restaurant after failing to show proper proof of vaccination.
Lamont instead stressed the importance of being vaccinated.
“For almost anyone it is not okay to not be vaccinated,” he said.
Coleen Gibson, who lives in Transcona, said she dines in restaurants three or four times a week and masks up and prepares to provide proof of vaccination anytime she enters.
“I think they’re doing pretty well with it,” said Gibson. “They’re actually asking for people’s ID and they’re really making sure everybody does show their ID.”
More than 2,300 tickets totalling more than $3.3 million have been issued since April 2020 but data released a year later showed less than 10 per cent of the fines at that time had been collected.
Gibson said if she entered a business that wasn’t following the rules, her response would be simple.
“I would say, ‘sorry I cannot stay at your restaurant,” she said.
A spokesperson with Manitoba Justice said tips on alleged violations are regularly investigated and credible reports are followed up on.
The department said there are more than 3,000 enforcement officials throughout the province who educate businesses and ensure compliance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
New York City FC coach repeats denial of allegations he punched a Toronto FC player
New York City FC coach Nick Cushing has repeated his denial of allegations that he punched a Toronto FC player, saying he is shocked and upset at the claim.