The former owner of a North Delta yoga studio whose business licence was revoked by the city for refusing to follow public health orders relating to COVID-19 is facing charges of violating the Quarantine Act after returning from a recent trip to the United States to attend a Flat Earth conference.
Makhan B次元官网网址淢akB次元官网网址� Singh Parhar of New Westminster, 47, has been charged with three counts under section 71 of the Quarantine Act for allegedly breaking his mandatory 14-day self-isolation on Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov.2.
According to posts on his Facebook page, Parhar was in the United States to attend an event called Flatoberfest 2020 in Greenville, South Carolina on Oct. 24. The event, which is described on its website as B次元官网网址渁n interactive conference for alternative cosmology enthusiasts,B次元官网网址� was attended by B次元官网网址渃lose to 400 peopleB次元官网网址� according to a video posted to ParharB次元官网网址檚 Facebook page.
A subsequent video shot at an anti-mask rally outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Nov. 1 and shows him speaking to the crowd about his recent trip and his refusal to sign a B次元官网网址渜uarantineB次元官网网址� form at customs or abide by orders to self-isolate.
B次元官网网址淭hey call it quarantine B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 not really quarantine, itB次元官网网址檚 self-imprisonment. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what we did back in March. ItB次元官网网址檚 self-imprisonment B次元官网网址� put yourself in a jail and stay there, donB次元官网网址檛 interact with your friends, family, whatever. Stay inside and donB次元官网网址檛 have a life,B次元官网网址� Parhar says in the video.
SEE ALSO: (Nov. 5, 2020)
He then goes on to describe his interactions with customs officials at Vancouver International Airport after refusing to sign the required forms on the grounds that the Quarantine Act doesnB次元官网网址檛 apply to him based on claims he is not a B次元官网网址減ersonB次元官网网址� or a B次元官网网址渢ravellerB次元官网网址� as defined by law.
B次元官网网址淭he border guard, she was rattled, she couldnB次元官网网址檛 believe that I didnB次元官网网址檛 fill out the form and I wasnB次元官网网址檛 complying. They arenB次元官网网址檛 used to people that arenB次元官网网址檛 obedient little sheep,B次元官网网址� Parhar says in the video.
B次元官网网址淚 go home [and] the next day I live my life because IB次元官网网址檓 not going to put myself in a prison, because IB次元官网网址檓 a free man with God-given rights.B次元官网网址�
He then describes New Westminster Police and RCMP visiting his home and serving him violation tickets for not observing the 14-day self-isolation.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a bit of an inconvenience that now I have to file the paperwork and say take your $1,150 toilet paper and shove it up your aB次元官网网址� because IB次元官网网址檓 not going to pay it.B次元官网网址�
New Westminster Police arrested Parhar at approximately 11 p.m. on Nov. 2, according to a press release from the department.
Police allege that, despite being reminded of federal legislation requiring travelers to self-isolate under the Quarantine Act and receiving a violation ticket, Parhar refused to comply and continued leaving his residence.
B次元官网网址淥ur priority is the safety of New Westminster residents,B次元官网网址� Sgt. Sanjay Kumar said in a press release. B次元官网网址淰iolations of the Quarantine Act put others at risk. Travelers are required to self-isolate for 14 days, whether or not they have symptoms. This is something we take very seriously.B次元官网网址�
According to the , violating any instructions provided to you upon entering Canada or failing to provide accurate information is an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to up to six months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.
If choosing to break your mandatory quarantine or isolation results in death or serious bodily harm to another person, you could face a fine of up to $1 million, up to three years in prison, or both.
Parhar, who made an appears in New Westminster provincial court on Nov. 3, remains in custody. His next court date is on Monday, Nov. 16.
In March, City of Delta bylaw inspectors suspended the business licence of Bikram Yoga Delta, owned by Parhar, after he refused to voluntarily cancel classes at the hot yoga studio in spite of public health orders issued by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. The business is now closed permanently.
READ MORE: (March 20, 2020)
editor@northdeltareporter.com
Like us on and follow us on
