This article has been updated with the latest mandatory measures announced by the province on Dec. 8
As COVID-19 case counts stay at record highs in St. Albert, Mayor Cathy Heron says enforcement of provincial restrictions will be directed at residents who know the rules but choose not to follow them.
St. Albert city council voted to support a policy statement backing municipal peace officers efforts to enforce provincial restrictions on Dec. 7. The motion passed in a 6-1 vote, with Coun. Sheena Hughes against.
On Nov. 27, the province extended powers to municipal peace officers to fine someone in violation of the new public health orders. Eight St. Albert enforcement officers began enforcing these rules a few days later once the city received specific orders from the province.
St. Albert has had “very good compliance” with the rules so far, Heron said – considering the rules change frequently, sometimes some education from peace officers is all that’s needed.
“This is about those that know the rules, and don’t want to follow them. I get that there’s fatigue and it’s setting in heavily after many, many months of the virus. We’re tired of the restrictions, and I do see behaviour start to slip because of that,” Heron said Monday.
“We need to, as leaders of this community, back up what the Government of Alberta has already stated as the rules. We just need to enforce them.”
Hughes said she voted against the policy motion over concerns the statement from council wasn't necessary with enforcement orders already in place, and whether it was an ask of council "to basically endorse a police state," pointing to police responses seen in some Australian states.
"Everything that's been done to date for the past nine months from governments has been to encourage fear as opposed to encouraging how to handle and live with the virus," she said.
Coun. Ken MacKay, who has a background in law enforcement, said this is "just another tool in the toolbox" for municipal officers. It doesn't mean they will be "kicking in the doors" of homes and businesses to issue court summons.
No tickets have been issued for violation of the new restrictions so far, according to the city. Two tickets were issued in the past for violation of the city's face-covering bylaw.
What does this mean?
When officers are called to respond, their first goal is to understand what’s going on before making a judgment call, said Aaron Giesbrecht, manager of policing services – tickets are mainly reserved for repeat offenders.
“Officers do not go into a situation with a premeditated mindset that a ticket is going to get issued,” he said. “They go into a situation to investigate, to understand what's happening, and then make a decision based on that circumstance.”
Late Tuesday afternoon, Premier Jason Kenney implemented new province-wide restrictions to help contain the rapid spread of COVID-19. The new restrictions include a ban on indoor and outdoor gatherings effective immediately, closure of some businesses with lower capacity limits for others, and a province-wide mandatory mask bylaw. These restrictions will be in place for at least four weeks.
The fine for public health breaches is $1,000, and could be up to $100,000 if the case is heard in court.
The city is working closely with Alberta Health Services to manage complaints and violations, Giesbrecht said. Residents are still asked to issue complaints through AHS, but they can also call the local RCMP and municipal enforcement complaint line if there needs to be an immediate response.
Giesbrecht said St. Albert peace officers did 70 patrols over the weekend and responded to eight complaints, five of which were related to over-capacity at outdoor rinks. In total, officers recorded 48 violations or warnings over the weekend, with 13 of those stemming from over-capacity at one rink.
Time needed to prepare
Heron said it's too early to say whether the current provincial measures are working, but what she does want to see from the province is more clarity and time for the city to respond to new restrictions.
"It is hard to support (further provincial restrictions) until I know what they are. But if it affects the municipality, we need a little bit of a heads up and some time to prepare," she said.
Heron said she is "really proud" of the work St. Albertans have done so far, noting the city has reported a high compliance rate. When asked about over-capacity at outdoor ice rinks, Heron said she understands some people are tired of following restrictions, but they are important.
"This virus is real, this pandemic is real," Heron said. "We need to push the fatigue aside, even though it's strong, and keep doing our best to keep the curve down."
