On March 25, the Bylaw Enforcement COVID-19 Order came into effect through the office of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General with further direction from the province last week.
To provide a consistent approach throughout the province and reflect the public health officer's recommendations for individuals and communities, local governments are strongly encouraged to focus their enforcement efforts on orders relating to COVID-19. The province clarified bylaw compliance officer roles:
- To assist with the compliance and enforcement of public health orders.
- Bylaw compliance officers are not authorized to detain an individual because of a contravention or suspected contravention of a public health order.
- Bylaw compliance officers are not authorized to exercise any authority to issue a fine or penalty.
- Enforcement will be directed by the provincial health officer and/or Island Health.
Working hard to protect our community isn't new for members of the City's bylaw compliance department; however, protecting our community during a global pandemic is new. Prior to the order, the City's bylaw compliance, in conjunction with Island Health, had begun to patrol and educate the public about the public health orders as well as actively monitor City infrastructure.
As requested, the City will continue to deploy on-duty bylaw compliance officers to assist in enforcing provincial health orders, such as monitoring community facilities and areas closed to the public. Island Health will continue to cover all food premises including grocery stores as well as personal service establishments and pools. Bylaw officers will continue to remind residents of the playground and sports courts closures, as well as the critical need to physical distance. City staff are also integrating patrols into their daily tasks and will report concerns to bylaw to assist with compliance. The City’s priority is to protect the health and safety of our residents.
Concerns regarding compliance with the public health officer's orders should be directed as follows:
City of Parksville
250 954-4650
Island Health
250 947-8222
For more information:
