Property managers unable to enforce social distancing

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This article was published 06/04/2020 (1992 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When it comes to enforcing social distancing and self-isolation rules, property managers are feeling like their hands are tied.

Brydges Property Management, one of the larger property management companies in Manitoba with more than 10,000 condo residents and apartment tenants, is asking the province and Winnipeg Police Service for help.

Brenda Brydges, the president of the company, says property managers are constantly getting complaints from tenants who are reporting residents in their properties who are ignoring the rules and having gatherings of more than 10 people.

The manager assigned to the property then phones the person who is hosting the gathering and demands the visitors leave the unit immediately. The phone call is also followed up by an email or a letter. Brydges said the approach has been incredibly ineffective, but it’s all they can do.

“They’re (tenants) basically telling us to go fly a kite, that this is their place and they can do whatever they want,” Brydges told the Free Press.

“It’s the same response whether it’s a tenant or an owner. They say ‘I pay my fees, I own this place, I can do whatever I want.’ And to tell you the truth, they’re right. There is nothing I can do.”

There was a case where one individual had a party with 30 people. Brydges took it upon herself to make the call, but it made no difference.

“He just basically told me to do whatever I want because I have no power and he’s just going to continue on. I thought ‘Wow, you’re right. There’s nothing I can do,’” Brydges said.

In a news conference Monday, Premier Brian Pallister spoke about potentially disciplining those who host gatherings and don’t self-isolate when it’s required.

“Manitobans expect now that there should be consequences for people that are being disrespectful to them, and to their friends and family, and to the battle against COVID-19,” Pallister said.

“We’re definitely taking a look at some additional steps, sadly,”

Mayor Brian Bowman also spoke about the issue on Monday, as he was asked by a reporter if there’s a chance the city could step in and enforce social distancing rules more strictly.

“I think that would be less than ideal. Right now, there are provincial health orders. Provincial health orders being enforced by the province would be option one. If we can work to support their efforts and compliment their efforts as we’ve seen in other cities with respect to some of the municipal enforcement, that’s something obviously the city is going to do what it can to support the province’s efforts,” Bowman said.

Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Rob Carver said they have “no legal authority to enforce limits on the size of social gatherings at this time.”

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec have authorized law enforcement officers to enforce provincial health orders.

As of now, the only thing Manitobans can do if they see a gathering larger than 10 people is to call the provincial government inquiry number 204-945-3744 or email healthprotection@gov.mb.ca.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31