Travel for work not considered 'essential' for many in B.C., ministry says of highway order
Several major routes in British Columbia are under provincial travel restrictions for the time being in an effort to minimize the impact on the supply chain.
While some roadways are still closed 10 days after the major storm that caused flooding and mudslides across southern B.,C., sections of Highways 1, 3, 7 and 99 are open.
However, several spots are meant to be used only for essential travel, and those caught breaking the rules at checkpoints may be fined as much as $230.
The restrictions are temporary, provincial officials have said, asking drivers to be patient and look for alternate routes or take transit and taxis.
The province has issued a list of what it considers essential travel, but noticeably absent to those living in affected areas is whether going to work is allowed.
The short answer is probably not. Even if there is no other available route.
CTV News reached out to Emergency Management B.C. for clarity specifically on going to work, and was told by a spokesperson that only essential travel as outlined in the travel order is permitted.
Unless a driver's job is among those listed in Appendix 1 of that order, they're not allowed to use the highways with restricted access.
The appendix is as follows:
- commercial transporting for goods and supplies;
- transporting essential goods and supplies;
- transporting livestock, agricultural or seafood products or related supplies;
- travelling by agricultural producers, veterinarians and support personnel to provide
- care for animals;
- responding to emergencies or to critical incidents, including incidents that involve search and rescue operations;
- evacuating for medical reasons or transporting for urgent medical treatment'
- highway and infrastructure repairing, maintenance and operation and related activities;
- transporting essential personnel, including health-care workers and emergency responders;
- returning to a person's own principal residence;
- exercising an Aboriginal or treaty right as recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;
- media members travelling through a highway segment for purposes of reporting on the flooding and landslides.
The list has since been amended to include transportation by school bus, charter bus or public transit, but this applies only to the Highway 7 corridor between Hope and Mission.
The rules are also different on Highway 1. The stretch between Highway 11 and Yale Road can only be used for agricultural purposes, responding to emergencies, exercising an Aboriginal treaty right and highway maintenance and repair.
On Highway 99, the list above applies only if a vehicle is less than 14,500 kilograms, or has been authorized by the Ministry of Transportation.
In short, if a driver's job doesn't involve the essential purposes listed above, they are not permitted on the highways restricted under provincial travel rules.
A spokesperson for Emergency Management B.C. said the measures will be eased when the situation improves.
"We're asking employers to be flexible right now as the priority is to keep commercial traffic moving, stabilize our supply chains, and make sure everyone gets home safely," the ministry said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.