The five BC Liberal MLAs that represent Kamloops and Kelowna have written a letter to Interior Health asking for clarity on why capacity rules in the health authority are more restrictive than those in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.

The letter from Peter Milobar, Todd Stone, Norm Letnick, Renee Merrifield, and Ben Stewart comes one day after Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced an easing of the capacity restrictions for indoor events and gatherings like sporting events and movie theatres on Monday, Oct. 25.

Those restrictions would be eased if COVID-19 vaccine cards are checked unless there were targeted public health orders in place.

“The two WHL teams based in Kamloops and Kelowna have been leaders in the sports world with respect to ensuring the safety of their fans, players, and staff via requirements for double vaccinations and safe operating protocols,” the letter said.

“However, these teams are now at a loss to understand why they are unable to operate at full capacity while WHL teams based in Victoria and Langley (Vancouver Giants) are now able to welcome fans to full arenas.”

Among their questions, the MLAs also want to know what will trigger a change so that the rules align with other parts of the province, and the reason should Interior Health decided not increase capacity from the current 50 per cent next week.

“The other day we saw 210 or so cases in Fraser Health yet the Vancouver Giants who play in Langley will be able to be at 100 per cent capacity,” Milobar, the Kamloops-North Thompson MLA told NL News.

“IHA was at about 80 COVID cases and yet we would still be at 50 per cent capacity. So really, we are seeking that clarification and making sure that we’re safely back to full capacity as quickly as possible.”

Milobar says Interior Heath’s Interim Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Sue Pollock, has already responded to the letter to say the restrictions are being reviewed.

“We’re not trying to pick a fight, we’re just truly trying to get that information out to try to make sure that everyone understands and try to make sure that organizations can find out as soon as possible if and when rules are going to be changing so they can plan accordingly,” he said. “There is no doubt that we had a spike in numbers that was problematic but we have seen those numbers coming down and Dr. Pollock has acknowledged that as well.”

“And so the hope is moving forward, that as we see these restrictions start to ease in the Lower Mainland and in the Capital area, as our numbers stay on par per capita with what they are doing, that we would see our restrictions be in lockstep with them.”

“We just want to make sure that that happens and that everyone understands what the trigger would be to allow that to happen in a safe way,” he added.

The five MLAs say British Columbians have shown a willingness to follow public health orders that have been changing as the pandemic evolved.

“Many groups in the arts, sport teams like those in the BCHL, and minor sports teams have been desperately trying to survive as they adjust to changing capacity rules,” they said.

“We cannot state emphatically enough the significant financial impact the current 50 per cent capacity rules impose upon sports teams, and arts-related businesses and organizations, and the significant competitive financial disadvantage this differential in capacity rules places on the WHL and BCHL sports teams in the IHA.”

Interior Health told NL News that is expects to provide clarity on the status of restrictions this Friday.

#Kamloops and #Kelowna Mla’s letter to IHA seeking clarification on seating capacity for @blazerhockey @Kelowna_Rockets and many other groups. People and groups need time to plan if rules are going to be changing. pic.twitter.com/0KwXh6RfOk

— Peter Milobar (@PeterMilobar) October 20, 2021