The Hart Highlands Winter Market plans to continue this weekend, after being issued a warning by City bylaw enforcement for not adhering to the latest provincial health orders regarding public gatherings.
Alice Sigurdson, the organizer of the market, says two bylaw officers arrived shortly before closing on November 21 with the warning.
They informed her that she, the hall, and the 28 vendors could each receive a $2,300 fine if they chose to reopen the following day.
Sigurdson tried to tell one of the officers she was certified by Northern Health, as the market is classified as a community market.
However, she says she did not have the relevant documentation with her at the time.
“I was in shock, couldn’t believe it. He (the officer) didn’t want to listen to what I was trying to tell him. He was just worried about Doctor Henry’s spiel on Friday,” Sigurdson explained.
“We could still open up on Sunday, but he said ‘if the cops come around, they are charging each of you $2,300.’ I said, if that’s the case, then we’re shut down.”
Sigurdson asked the officer if he could explain to each of the vendors what was happening, as many were still at the market packing up their booths for the day.
Over half the vendors were selling food items on Saturday, and as food vendors, they are considered to be an essential service with similar rules to farmer’s markets.
At last night’s (Monday) Council meeting, it was clarified that the role of bylaw officers in regards to public health complaints is one of information and education, and not of enforcement.
Enforcement is undertaken by RCMP and Northern Health.
Despite the miscommunication, she plans to open the market again as planned.
In the meantime, she is looking to the city and Northern Health to get formal paperwork she can display on the premises.
“I just want to run it as I did on Saturday (November 21), and I can’t see where I went wrong,” said Sigurdson,
“It’s got approved to keep going, so, I am just going to put the past in the past and carry on forward.”
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