The Retail Council of Canada is concerned about planned anti-mask gatherings at New Brunswick retailers.
A social media post encourages people to enter a certain store at a specific time without wearing a mask.
“This is to protest the overstep of the government, and our bodily autonomy,” said the post.
Participants are told to make purchases if they would like but to leave items at the cash if they are denied service.
Jim Cormier, Atlantic director of the Retail Council of Canada, said protests like this put customers and employees at risk.
“These are rules that are coming down from the Government of New Brunswick,” Cormier said in an interview. “If people have an axe to grind with government officials, that’s one thing, but they shouldn’t be taking it out on the folks that are working in our retail store.”
Cormier said they were notified of the social media post by the affected retailer and by the Department of Justice and Public Safety.
He said the council is “heartened” that provincial officials are taking this matter seriously and will be monitoring the affected stores.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Public Safety said they are aware of the post and that officers will address any violations they see.
Geoffrey Downey said the law that requires a person to wear a mask when in a public indoor space is to protect public health in a pandemic, and that the fine for non-compliance is “significant.”
“New Brunswickers do not need the risk created by a dangerous stunt like this, and essential retail workers certainly don’t need to be put in this position,” Downey wrote in an email.
“Anyone tempted to be part of this organized violation of the law should stay away.”
Cormier said the council’s members will be prepared as best as they can and ensure employees are aware.
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