N.B. businesses report customers throwing 'temper tantrums' when employees enforce COVID-19 rules
The first 24-hours following New Brunswick's rollout of new pandemic restrictions have been rocky for some of the businesses tasked with enforcing the new rules.
The province went ahead with a mandatory proof of vaccination policy for certain locations and non-essential activities beginning at 11:59 pm on Sept. 21.
While some feel protected by the new measures, The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse general manager, Todd VanIderstine, says others have taken issue with the rules.
"Between yesterday and today, we already have multiple stories of name-calling, attitude, yelling, or minor temper tantrums," said VanIderstine. "I've personally dealt with things online at the moment and we've turned away approximately half our customers just this morning alone."
Restaurants Canada's Atlantic Canada Vice President Luc Erjavec told CTV News while the majority of customers have been understanding, a small yet outspoken few have caused issues for restaurant employees across the province.
"They're getting some perverse kick of creating a scene in a restaurant or berating a staff person who's just trying to do their job and keep them safe, and that's tough. Some employees are nervous to be working a front door."
Who can employees turn to when faced with these confrontations?
Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce CEO, John Wishart says there are still lots of unanswered questions surrounding the enforcement of the policy.
"Do they call the police? Do they have the right to expel that person from their premises? I think that's still a little bit in the grey zone. And what constitutes somebody going over the line and causing a public disturbance?" Wishart asked.
VanIderstine worries how seriously complaints will be taken if police are called.
"I think it's going to end up on the RCMP and that's just going to be a 'walk along please', as they're not technically doing anything wrong if they're not causing us physical harm or forcing their way in."
Erjavec says the majority of businesses understand the need for the latest measures from a health care standpoint, but he acknowledges the cost both financially and mentally on an industry that has struggled for the last 18 months.
"We're in the job of welcoming people in our restaurants, showing great hospitality. To all of a sudden have to be the policeman at the door, maybe refusing someone's entrance, checking for IDs and paperwork, it's difficult," he said.
CTV News reached out to New Brunswick RCMP to inquire about enforcement expectations, but the organization directed us to the province's justice department. The department of justice was contacted multiple times, but no one was made available for comment.
Wishart says he has a simple ask of those looking to enter establishments requiring proof of vaccination.
"It's not our policy, we are enforcing it, we may agree with it, we may not, but this is government-mandated so remember that."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
First in Canada procedure performed at London, Ont. hospital
A London man has become the first person in Canada to receive a robotic assisted surgery on his spine. Dave Myeh suffered from debilitating, chronic back pain that led to sciatica in his right now and extreme pain in his lower back.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.