Hatter agrees to reduced fine for exceeding COVID capacity limits

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on August 25, 2022.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

A local woman has agreed to pay a reduced fine after hosting a Halloween party last fall that exceeded pandemic capacity limits.

Police attended the party and discovered “at least 50” people in the residence when then-current orders by the chief medical officer of health set the maximum allowable number people in a private residence for a social gathering at 20.

Crown prosecutors dealt with the matter Wednesday in Provincial Court where the woman agreed with a proposal to plead guilty and pay $350 within six months rather than the proposed voluntary payment option of $2,400. The charge is non-criminal and essentially equates to a traffic ticket.

Judge Michelle Christopher told the defendant that, while controversial, health orders serve a purpose and contravening them can come with a cost to the health-care system, the economy in lost productivity and income, as well as long-term personal health.

“It’s a serious thing to disobey a public health order,” said Christopher.

“That’s why the fine is so high, but the Crown has agreed to $350, so we’ll leave it at that.

“I know people don’t always agree with this particular public health order… but they are what they are. It’s an order that has the effect of law, and we have to abide by the law whether we like it or not.”

Prosecutors also waived the addition of a victim surcharge that would have been $70.