Man wanted on arrest warrant fined $230 for refusing to wear mask on SkyTrain

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A man who refused to wear a mask on the SkyTrain after being asked by Transit Police was fined $230 for his actions, and arrested on an outstanding warrant.

According to Transit Police Sgt. Clint Hampton, the incident took place around 11 am on Wednesday, as the man was heading westbound on the train, near Royal Oak SkyTrain Station in Burnaby.

When approached about his lack of mask, the 39-year-old Vancouver resident “incorrectly” informed officers that wearing a mask was a violation of his charter rights, said Hampton.

Hampton told Daily Hive that the man was arrested for failing to comply with a probation order. Police searched the man during his arrest and discovered he had three knives in his possession, as well.

As a result, police will now be recommending new charges for breaching his conditions not to posses knives, Hampton said.

See also:
- Face masks and coverings are mandatory on Vancouver transit
- Mask-less transit riders can be fined $230

Face masks have been mandatory on transit in Vancouver since August, and failing to comply can result in the $230 fine, after the provincial government unveiled new enforcement measures last month.

Under the provincial order, face masks are now required to be worn by all British Columbians, 12 years and older, in a number of indoor public settings, including:

malls, shopping centres, coffee shops, and retail and grocery stores;
liquor and drug stores;
airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres;
restaurants, pubs and bars;
places of public worship;
on public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle;
common areas of office buildings, courthouses, hospitals and hotels;
common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity;
common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations.

Those looking to report “non-emergency” contraventions of the mask order should contact their local bylaw office, the province said. Those unable to reach a local bylaw office can contact their local police department’s non-emergency line.

Police may also be called “if someone has become threatening or abusive in response to a request to put on a mask.”