the rcmp said since oct. 1, it has received four reports of disturbances in saskatchewan related to someone being asked to show proof of vaccination. no further details were provided.
under the province’s public health order, starting oct. 1, residents must provide proof of vaccination or a negative test when entering restaurants, bars, liquor or cannabis stores, cinemas, theatres, bingo halls, gyms, live-music venues and indoor facilities hosting ticketed sporting events.
asked this week about complaints since the new mandate took effect, the saskatchewan health authority said it could not provide any data. asked about penalties, the sha said in an email that a business violating the order by permitting access without proof of either vaccination or testing could be subject to a summary offence ticket, which carries a voluntary payment of $2,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations but jumps to $2,800 and $14,000 respectively with inclusion of the mandatory victim surcharge.
while police may be called if there is an immediate need for their presence, most complaints involving breach of the public health orders fall under the purview of public health inspectors. the province has a “non-compliance reporting” form on its website for those wanting to report a health order violation.