Manitoba enlists 216 liquor inspectors, safety officers and other officials to enforce pandemic orders
Greatest enforcement capacity still rests with police, who have other duties to carry out
Manitoba has added 216 provincial employees to the ranks of enforcement officers enlisted toenforce public health orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic but the vast majority of the staff remain police officers who have other duties.
On Thursday, Premier Brian Pallister announced that liquor inspectors, public health officers, workplace safety inspectors, park patrol officers and Manitoba Agriculture staff will now help enforce limits on gatherings and other public health orders.
They'll join 2,819 city and provincial staff already engaged in this task. The vast majority of them are police officers who Pallister conceded have other duties to carry out.
"We all understand the police have many other responsibilities, in addition to dealing with those who aren't smart enough to understand that you have to social distance to protect yourself and others at this time," Pallister saidduring a conference call with reporters on Thursday morning.
Winnipeg policehaveonly issued three tickets for pandemic violations since the second week of April, the Winnipeg Police Service stated in a press release.
The province has granted additional authority for enforcementbecause some Manitobans"refuse to be responsible enough to do the right thing," Pallistersaid.
Manitobansmostly have been following the rules, including not congregating in groups larger than 10 and physical distancing, but "some of us need reminding," he said.
Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman has complained the province was doing little to enforce physical distancing violations among large crowds, though the mayor noted provincial inspectors were doing a good job inspecting businesses within the city.
Bowman cited a rally on Saturdaywhere demonstrators opposed to the public health orders gathered at the Manitoba Legislature.
Provincial officials can enforce the orders in public places within the City of Winnipeg, Pallister said. They'll be able to hand out fines, unlike city bylaw officers, who can only enforce violations in parks.
Bowman was "pleased" with the additional enforcement staff,communications director Jeremy Davis said in a statement.
The province will also recruit volunteers through its online volunteerwebsite to educate the public about the health orders. They will pass along matters that need formal enforcement to the appropriate authorities.
These officials will complementthe work of people who are already enforcing the public health orders, Pallister said.
Breaking the rules whichban public and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people, force some businesses to stay closed and require people in stores to stay two metres apart can cost $486 for individualsand $2,542 for businesses.
However, "education is key" and the first goal of enforcement, Pallister said.
"Sometimes it's frustrating, but it's necessary to repeat messages even when they're fundamentally so important to many of us," he said.
"Some people just need to have a message repeated again and again."
In Winnipeg, people who want to report health order violations should call 311, not 911, police said.
Concerns about public gatherings inCity of Winnipeg parks will be dealt with by eitherbylaw officers or city ambassadors. Policeofficers will assist if there are issues with non-compliance.
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