Crowds at Sylvan Lake's waterfront last Saturday (July 11) were large, to say the least. (@PaperCandie on Twitter)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

$1200 fine possible

‘Implausible task’ to enforce against Sylvan Lake beach crowds: RCMP

Jul 13, 2020 | 3:57 PM

The Town of Sylvan Lake says it is disappointed with those who did not follow best health and safety practices at the local beach this past weekend.

RELATED: Alberta Health: Large crowds at Sylvan Lake beach a no-no

In a release issued Monday, the municipality says it recognizes there were some who did in fact physical distance and take other necessary precautions, but more need to heed the rules.

“Controlling social behaviour is tremendously difficult; we neither have the jurisdiction, nor the resources, to manage and enforce behaviour,” says Wally Ferris, CAO. “Only the RCMP, and Alberta Health has the authority to enforce how visitors comply with physical distancing rules, but we want to be clear: from what we observed on the weekend – the sheer number of people, enforcement alone is not the solution.”

The Town notes it has reached out to the province to provide clearer direction for destinations and communities like Sylvan Lake.

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Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health in Alberta, said Monday that the province is setting up discussions with select municipalities this week to determine what kind of additional support it can offer.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro also gave a brief comment, saying, “We do right now have the orders of the chief medical officer of health and we’ve made changes to the Public Health Act to allow for local communities to be able to enforce some of those orders.”

Alberta RCMP say they were monitoring the July 11 crowds, but the numbers were overwhelming.

“The decision as to who to begin education and ultimately enforcement against was an implausible task for the Sylvan Lake RCMP members,” says Cpl. Laurel Scott. “No enforcement tickets in relation to non-compliance against the Order were issued by the RCMP. The fines associated with a breach of the CMOH Order 26-2020 is $1,200. The sheer number of people at the beach is an indication that enforcement is not the solution.”

Scott adds that RCMP were fully engaged in managing other priorities such as drinking offences and driving offences.

“The RCMP remains committed to working with our AHS partners, and public safety is always our number one priority. In this case, the thousands of Albertans who demonstrated a disappointing disrespect for the Order put themselves and the citizens of the community of Sylvan Lake at risk.”

On Monday, the topic was also broached by Premier Jason Kenney, who implored Albertans to do the right thing when venturing out into public.

“To keep our numbers low and keep all of us safe as possible, I implore Albertans to remain vigilant and disciplined. We saw large crowds gathering this weekend at Sylvan Lake,” the premier noted. “That kind of conduct could jeopardize the progress we’ve made. We’re not done with COVID, but we are learning how to live with it and our future success depends entirely on not letting our guard down.”