HALIFAX -- A university student in Wolfville, N.S. has been fined for violating the Emergency Management Act.
Around 11 p.m. on Thursday, Kings District RCMP received a complaint of a large group of students gathered at a residence on Bay Street.
When police arrived, they found more than 75 people in the home.
Officers dispersed everyone at the party and served the main resident of the home with a summary offence ticket for failing to comply to direction, order or requirement.
The violation carries a fine of $697.50.
“I think fining people is the only way to stop people from breaking the social-distancing rules so, I am perfectly fine with it,” said Acadia University student, Ryan McCauley.
The mayor of Wolfville, Jeff Cantwell, feels the punishment for the party was too lenient, saying he thinks everyone should have received the same fine, including the landlord.
“Until they start fining the property owners and charging them with these nuisance parties, or charging them with these violations against the state of emergency, until the landlords are brought into it, not much is going to happen,” said Cantwell.
“It does worry me,” said Kentville, N.S. resident Debbie Pettet. “Young people think they’re invincible but studies are showing it is affecting everybody regardless of age.”
Acadia University has a student code of conduct specifically for COVID-19. Two of the protocols on the list include ensuring personal physical-distancing, and limiting interactions on and off-campus.
There is no word yet on possible discipline on behalf of the university.
Cantwell says it may be time for another door-to-door effort to make sure students are aware of the penalties and potential consequences of hosting large get-togethers.
The RCMP is reminding the public, including university students, of the importance of following all public health orders, provincial legislation, and town bylaws.
