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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.