BC government introduces legislation to prevent ``disruptive behaviour'' from affecting schools and health-care facilities

The BC government announced it has introduced legislation it says would prevent ``disruptive behaviour'' from affecting schools and health-care facilities.

Premier John Horgan says in a statement that people protesting COVID-19 rules have blocked access to health-care facilities and schools, and while everyone has a right to protest, interference with patients and children is unacceptable.

The province says the legislation would establish 20-metre zones preventing protests around hospitals, schools and COVID-19 vaccination and test centres, making it offence to impede access to the facilities and their services.

Attorney General David Eby says the act would empower police to make arrests or to issue violation tickets of up to two thousand dollars.