Sask. could see more COVID-19 fines get dropped, says lawyer
A Saskatoon lawyer says more COVID-19 fines could get dropped.
Fines can be dropped for two reasons: if it’s unlikely the case will result in a conviction or if it’s not in the public interest to proceed.
As more cases get adjourned to the fall, likely when public health restrictions get lifted, lawyer Brian Pfefferle said it’s possible more COVID-19-related charges will get dropped.
“I’d suggest there’s less of a public interest pursuing public health order cases if we’re not in the midst of a pandemic,” he said.
Pfefferle said “due diligence” can be a defence for these types of charges — if a business or person can show they’ve taken reasonable steps to comply with the public heath order, and it was just a brief moment of a breach.
About two weeks ago, a $14,000 fine laid against a Prince Albert church for allegedly violating the COVID-19 rules was dropped because there was evidence the charge would not likely result in a conviction.
“In general, the agency responsible for prosecuting a ticket decides whether it should proceed or not. That may be the police, a prosecution service, or another agency,” according to a statement from Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Justice.
Data from the ministry shows the majority of COVID-19-related fines have not resulted in convictions.
A total of 155 charges have been laid under the Public Health Act.
So far, since April 30, only 17 tickets have resulted in convictions.
The majority of the cases are awaiting a court date.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.