N.S. premier blasts organizers of religious gathering that sparked fatal COVID-19 outbreak
CBC
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston slammed the organizers of a religious gathering that led to outbreaks of COVID-19 in the province, including the deaths of three people.
At the end of October, the Gospel Light Baptist Church in Amherst, N.S., hosted a gathering of more than 100 people and did not require proof of vaccination to enter.
The pastor of the church has said what happened was "unfortunate," but was part of God's plan.
Houston said during a briefing Wednesday he was appalled by the comments of those who were involved in organizing the gathering.
"The comments downplaying the seriousness of what's happening, the comments minimizing the loss of life are completely unacceptable and totally disgusting. Lives were lost," he said.
"I can't imagine that at this stage in the pandemic, with the devastation we've seen to families and to communities that we have people who believe that they can pick and choose which rules they follow."
As Houston was speaking at the briefing, an Environment Department press release announced Robert Smith, the pastor of the Gospel Light Baptist Church, has been fined for the gathering, which took place Oct. 25 to 29 and contravened public health rules. The ticket, issued Wednesday, comes with a fine of $2,422.
Houston said he was pressing for answers about why there was a delay in enforcing the COVID-19 rules.
"I don't understand what took so long, and I don't understand why only one person has been charged.… We will get to the bottom of the enforcement delays and we'll fix it."
He said the government will look at changing fine levels for people who violate public health orders.
An outbreak at the East Cumberland Lodge long-term care home in Pugwash, N.S., which is linked to the gathering, has seen 31 residents and 10 staff members test positive. Two residents have died. One other person has died.
Nova Scotia announced 20 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the active caseload to 236.
Eight of the cases are in the central zone, six are in the northern zone and six are in the western zone.
Seventeen people are in hospital with the virus, including seven in intensive care.
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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