New legislation aimed at preventing protests from disrupting important services in B.C.
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The B.C. Government has tabled a new act to protect critical services like health care and schools, and prevent disruptive behaviours affecting them.
The proposed legislation will protect hospitals, COVID-19 testing sites and vaccination centres, and K-12 schools by establishing a 20-metre access zone around them. Under the act, it would be an offence under the Provincial Offence Act to impede access to the facility, disrupt services, or act in a way that could cause concern for physical or mental safety for the service users or providers.
“Over the last few months, we’ve seen a small number of people protesting against COVID-19 protective measures by blocking access to health-care facilities and schools,” said Premier John Horgan.
“While everyone has a right to protest, interfering with patients accessing hospital care or with kids trying to get to school is completely unacceptable. This legislation will help to keep these important facilities secure and ensure the safety of both those who use them and those who work in them.”
