Injunction against Fraser Valley restaurant a message to others not checking vaccine passports
A B.C. supreme court judge has granted the province’s request for a permanent injunction against Rolly’s Restaurant in Hope, which remained open and continued to serve customers despite having its business and liquor licenses suspended on Oct. 7, for not checking vaccine passports.
That didn’t surprise Vancouver lawyer Kyla Lee.
"What is surprising is it was a permanent injunction as opposed to temporary, to essentially give Rolly’s a slap on the wrist and say get in line and then hope that going forward they will comply with their own willingness," said Lee. "This appears to be a very clear message from the court."
If Rolly’s defies this latest order, there will be much more serious consequences than the daily fines the owners have been facing for operating without a licence.
"The court having given that injunction, that is a very serious matter and you ignore an injunction at your peril," said solicitor general Mike Farnworth.
Lee believes Fraser Health won’t hesitate to have RCMP enforce the injunction, which they are required to do by law.
"And that’s going to mean arresting the owner of the restaurant, the staff at the restaurant, patrons of the restaurant," said Lee.
Premier John Horgan has no sympathy for Rolly’s owners.
"If you’re not prepared to follow the rules that everyone else is living under in a civil society there are consequences, and we have seen that," said Horgan.
A Vancouver restaurant has also had its business licence suspended for refusing to check proof of vaccination. It’s the second time Corduroy has been shut down by the city for not following public health orders.
"Corduroy is one of the most egregious in terms of flouting the COVID restrictions that were put in place, and we have heard from a lot of members of the public. I think people are pretty happy to see the different authorities are taking action," said Vancouver city councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung.
If Corduroy chooses to defy the closure order like Rolly’s did, she expects a similar injunction would be granted by the courts .
"I think people have really had it with them, so we should throw every possible measure at them," said Kirby-Yung.
The fact the province sought and was granted an injunction in just two days should serve as a warning to Corduroy and others that aren’t following public health orders.
"This sends a message that this is the enforcement that can take place. This can have a serious impact financially on your business," said Farnworth.
"It should be taken to be a sign to other restaurants that you will likely lose your business, and will be put in a worse position by going through this than if you just comply," said Lee.
Both Corduroy and Rolly’s were closed on Thursday. If Rolly’s re-opens, owners can expect a visit from RCMP. If Corduroy operates without a business licence, the courts would almost certainly grant another injunction to shut the restaurant down.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
'Ready to go': Fort McMurray residents prepared for evacuation as crews battle nearby wildfire
An evacuation alert remains in place in the Fort McMurray area on Monday afternoon.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.