Calgary,
03
June
2021
|
16:22
America/Denver

City of Calgary update on collaborative COVID-19 enforcement measures

City of Calgary Community Peace Officers and the Calgary Police Service (CPS) continue to work together, along with Alberta Health Services (AHS), to ensure enforcement of all bylaws and public health orders. While the Government of Alberta reopening announcement is exciting, The City of Calgary would like to remind Calgarians that public health orders are still in place and will continue to be enforced until lifted, for the safety of all.

On June 2, a new Ministerial Order renewed the ability for Community Peace Officers to enforce the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s (CMOH) Orders through the Public Health Act (PHA). The new Ministerial Order will be in place for 30 days, until July 2, 2021. As a result, City of Calgary Community Peace Officers will continue to enforce the provincial mask mandate, outdoor social gathering limits and place of worship restrictions.

The Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw came into effect August 1, 2020. On June 2, 2021 an update of an amendment to the bylaw came into effect. The amendment stipulates that the fine amount for those demonstrating willful non-compliance has increased from a specified penalty of $100 to $500 for the first offence of failure to wear a face covering where required. For a second contravention within a twelve-month period, the specified penalty is doubled to $1,000 and a third and subsequent contraventions will result in a $1,500 fine. The specified penalty for failure to display the prescribed sign remains unchanged at $200.

Currently, the Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw is in effect until the end of 2021 at the direction of City Council. The bylaw was created to be nimble in response to the ongoing pandemic, and The City of Calgary has the opportunity to make amendments or repeal the bylaw at the direction of Council. The repeal criteria to be considered by City Council is data-based and reflective of medical direction and expertise.

Enforcement of the temporary bylaw has resulted in:

  •  505 violation tickets for failure to wear a face covering where required since August 1, 2020
    • Of those, 7 violation tickets have been issued since May 26, 2021.
  • One ticket has been issued for failure to display prescribed signage in an entryway of a public indoor space. This is the only ticket issued of this nature since August 18, 2020.

The total number of tickets issued under the Public Health Act (PHA) since the State of Local Emergency was declared is:

  • 214 violation tickets since November 24, 2020.
    • Of those, 1 of the violation tickets were issued since May 26, 2021.

Inspections

City business licence inspectors, peace officers and partners from AHS, CPS, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and Occupational Health and Safety have formed a Public Health Compliance (PHC) Team to monitor compliance, address concerns and support measures that help protect Calgarians. This team will continue to conduct proactive inspections and respond to concerns jointly, to ensure businesses are following public health orders.

Any non-essential business found operating in contravention of the PHA could face multiple fines and the possibility of suspension or revocation of their business licence coupled with the charges.

The City of Calgary would like to thank citizens and businesses for their continued adherence to public health orders and for playing an important role in the health and safety of all Calgarians.

Where violations are suspected, Calgarians or businesses can submit questions, concerns or report complaints to Alberta Health Services online or by calling 1-833-415-9179, or to The City by contacting 311 or the CPS non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.

More information is available on Calgary.ca/covid19.

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