Police, health officials still deciding course of action with defiant business

By medicinehatnews on April 30, 2021.

Police and health officials in Medicine Hat are still considering what action to take after a “freedom rally” took place outside a local restaurant last weekend, and the main speaker was arrested in Thunder Bay on Wednesday for staging a similar event.

Police in Winnipeg are also levelling two $1,300 fines against the Ontario man for breaking rules against massing crowds in contradiction to health restrictions and not isolating for two weeks upon arrival to the province.

A statement from Medicine Hat Police Service on Thursday states that police have heard questions about the local event, and are in discussions with health officials about potential charges.

“While there was no visible enforcement at (the) rally, MHPS officers were present and are discussing with Alberta Heath Service and provincial Crown Prosecutors what if any charges are applicable,” it read.

“For everyone’s safety we encourage all Medicine Hat residents to follow the health orders.”

Alberta Health Services put out a bulletin this week asking that anyone in attendance at the event at J Rocks restaurant in a Box Springs commercial strip voluntarily receive a COVID-19 test as they likely came in close contact with person now confirmed to have the serious respiratory illness.

That was met with derision on social media, though at least one local business has voluntarily closed on a temporary basis, stating an employee attended the event.

The local gathering was publicized as one leg of a cross-country “freedom convoy” that also made a stop in Maple Creek, Sask.