Braid: UCP launches new enforcement as defiance of COVID rules deepens
The fact that the politicians needed to come out with this framework explains why enforcement has been so haphazard
Author of the article:Don Braid • Calgary Herald
Publishing date:May 05, 2021 •
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Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu joins other provincial minister as they speak from Edmonton and Calgary on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, a recap of the new COVID-19 health measures being implemented in Alberta. PHOTO BY CHRIS SCHWARZ/GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA
Wednesday was quite the day at the Whistle Stop Cafe in the little hamlet of Mirror, northeast of Red Deer.
First, the Mounties and Alberta Health Services padlocked the chronic health rules violator, which has defied AHS since January.
Then, the owner, Chris Scott, launched a real-time Facebook tirade alleging his constitutional rights were violated. He shouted accusations at AHS officials and Mounties.
On Facebook, his allies applauded his defiance, while opponents vilified this guy who for months has broken the rules others choose to obey.
It was no accident that a new provincial enforcement protocol came into effect shortly before officials arrived at the Whistle Stop.
Theirs was the first move in the tougher enforcement promised later Wednesday morning by Premier Jason Kenney and Kaycee Madu, the justice minister.
They said fines for chronic violators will be raised from $1,000 to $2,000. They then went into a cabinet meeting. An hour later, an order-in-council with the fine increase was published.
Madu’s office also released a three-page “COVID-19 Compliance/Enforcement Framework for Repeat Offenders.”
It’s dense and bureaucratic stuff, mainly because the politicians can’t seem to be telling the police and other enforcement officials what to do, or who to target.
But the point is clear — enforcement agencies will back each other, and in turn be backed by the government.
The fact that the politicians needed to come out with this framework explains why enforcement has been so haphazard.
Often, nobody wanted to take the first step. There were so many complexities that the agencies themselves asked for a formal protocol.
The jumble of players included AHS, the RCMP, Gaming and Liquor, city police, Blood Tribe Police and several others.
One approved action on the first day was “ordering closure and blocking access to premises.” The Whistle Stop got to see that in real life.
The rules defined conditions that should lead to repeat offenders being charged.
“Continuing to defy requirements despite repeated attempts to generate compliance, including being non-responsive . . . or when a single organization has escalated to fines, orders or other penalties and it has not been effective.
Wednesday was quite the day at the Whistle Stop Cafe in the little hamlet of Mirror, northeast of Red Deer.
First, the Mounties and Alberta Health Services padlocked the chronic health rules violator, which has defied AHS since January.
Then, the owner, Chris Scott, launched a real-time Facebook tirade alleging his constitutional rights were violated. He shouted accusations at AHS officials and Mounties.
On Facebook, his allies applauded his defiance, while opponents vilified this guy who for months has broken the rules others choose to obey.
It was no accident that a new provincial enforcement protocol came into effect shortly before officials arrived at the Whistle Stop.
Theirs was the first move in the tougher enforcement promised later Wednesday morning by Premier Jason Kenney and Kaycee Madu, the justice minister.
They said fines for chronic violators will be raised from $1,000 to $2,000. They then went into a cabinet meeting. An hour later, an order-in-council with the fine increase was published.
Madu’s office also released a three-page “COVID-19 Compliance/Enforcement Framework for Repeat Offenders.”
It’s dense and bureaucratic stuff, mainly because the politicians can’t seem to be telling the police and other enforcement officials what to do, or who to target.
But the point is clear — enforcement agencies will back each other, and in turn be backed by the government.
The fact that the politicians needed to come out with this framework explains why enforcement has been so haphazard.
Often, nobody wanted to take the first step. There were so many complexities that the agencies themselves asked for a formal protocol.
The jumble of players included AHS, the RCMP, Gaming and Liquor, city police, Blood Tribe Police and several others.
One approved action on the first day was “ordering closure and blocking access to premises.” The Whistle Stop got to see that in real life.
The rules defined conditions that should lead to repeat offenders being charged.
“Continuing to defy requirements despite repeated attempts to generate compliance, including being non-responsive . . . or when a single organization has escalated to fines, orders or other penalties and it has not been effective.
“Publicly inciting others towards civil disobedience (e.g., attracting significant media and public attention or calling for others to disobey requirements.)
“Creating opportunities for super spreader events or situations where actions or inactions have the potential to significantly spread COVID-19.
“Have been aggressive, threatening or obstructive to lawful inspection or enforcement activities.”
To some this kind of enforcement is oppression. One guy went right over the top by saying on Facebook: “We need another Marythorpe.”
The town is Mayerthorpe, not Marythorpe. It’s where four Mounties were ambushed and murdered on March 3, 2005. The Alberta RCMP noted that sickening post on their own Twitter feed.
The atmosphere is as toxic and dangerous as I’ve ever seen it in Alberta.
Tuesday evening, Premier Jason Kenney told UCP members on Facebook that he and his mother, who is 83, have both been threatened.
He read out messages, according to a CBC report. “You will be executed for your crimes against humanity.” And, “we know where your mother lives.”
Asked about this at a news conference Wednesday morning, Kenney wouldn’t go into detail, saying he leaves security to the sheriffs and doesn’t want to see threats.
But maybe he needs to talk about this publicly. Albertans should be aware of how ugly the mood has become.
Premier Jason Kenney joined other provincial ministers from Edmonton and Calgary on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, during a recap of the new COVID-19 health measures being implemented in Alberta. PHOTO BY CHRIS SCHWARZ/GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA
The big question, still unanswered, is how the authorities will enforce the big anti-mask rallies.
They certainly “create opportunities for superspreader events” and fit the definition of “inciting others toward civil disobedience.”
For most people, it’s exasperating to see the protests continue even as the majority begins to comply with yet another set of tough rules.
Police have so far handled these events delicately. Nobody wants riots, especially with young children present.
But the public, and the demonstrators, can expect a tougher response from now on.
The big question, still unanswered, is how the authorities will enforce the big anti-mask rallies.
They certainly “create opportunities for superspreader events” and fit the definition of “inciting others toward civil disobedience.”
For most people, it’s exasperating to see the protests continue even as the majority begins to comply with yet another set of tough rules.
Police have so far handled these events delicately. Nobody wants riots, especially with young children present.
But the public, and the demonstrators, can expect a tougher response from now on.
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