Fines could reach $57K with new penalties for breaking N.S. gathering rules
CBC
People and organizations that host gatherings in Nova Scotia that ignore public health orders will now face steep monetary penalties.
The province announced Thursday morning that a new category of offence will see organizers held directly responsible for contravening the Health Protection Act.
The announcement comes after a religious gathering in late October resulted in transmission of COVID-19 that spread to various areas of the province and caused the deaths of three people. Organizers did not ask for proof of vaccination from those who attended, in violation of public health rules.
The pastor of the church that organized the multi-day gathering was fined $2,422 in connection with the gathering.
Under the new fine structure, first offences for individuals who organize or attend an illegal gathering will come with a $2,422 fine, and increase to $11,622 for subsequent offences.
Organizations will be fined $11,622 for the first offence and $57,622 for subsequent violations. Individuals can also face jail time.
The new fines are effective immediately.
"I don't want any more loved ones being lost due to this type of reckless behaviour and the fines that were in place were not enough to discourage it," said Premier Tim Houston in a news release. "My hope is that by substantially increasing fines and increasing enforcement we can save lives."
The province said more than 1,375 tickets have been issued under the Health Protection and Emergency Management acts since the state of emergency began in March 2020.
On Wednesday, Houston blasted the organizers of the late-October gathering that led to the outbreaks. Robert Smith, the pastor of the Gospel Light Baptist Church, which hosted the event, has said what happened was "unfortunate," but was part of God's plan.
The province also announced Wednesday it had fined Smith $2,422 for the gathering.
Dalhousie University law professor Wayne MacKay said in addition to the fine levied against the pastor of the Gospel Light Baptist Church, it is possible there are grounds for criminal charges, including criminal negligence.
"Now that's extremely hard to prove, but under criminal negligence, if you have a duty to do something and you either don't do it or do it inadequately or do it with … reckless disregard for the safety of others, then that can be considered criminal negligence," he said.
Conviction for that offence can come with prison time that ranges from three years to life.
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