Page - 133 - in VULNERABLE - The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19

133Municipal Power and Democratic Legitimacy in the Time of COVID-19 which has its own charter, is a big city, and has highlighted vulnerable people living in the downtown eastside.23 British Columbia’s rationale was that the COVID-19 response required a consistent approach across communities, much to the chagrin of smaller municipalities who do not think provincial coordination is sufficiently responsive to local needs.24 Ensuring a uniform regulation across the province was critical in the early days of the pandemic, especially given the close proximity of municipalities to one another in denser areas. However, municipal states of emergency may provide enhanced protection for local resi- dents not captured at the provincial scale. This is especially important as prohibitions are lifted and smaller communities experience a greater influx of visitors. Some municipalities fear an influx of tourists and visitors, a concern that does not apply uniformly across the province and that has the potential to overwhelm local services.25 For example, over two dozen leaders of smaller coastal towns and First Nations urged the Province of British Columbia to limit outside travel “for fishing, hunting and other leisure activities” into their communities following COVID-19 infections in small towns elsewhere, a request that was not granted.26 Local states of emergency enable municipali- ties to address the specific needs of local communities, which differ dramatically from one another in geographic size, population, den- sity, levels of tourism, and socio-economic disparity.27 Provinces may not be as aware of the needs of particular localities. 23. McCarthy Tetreault, “COVID-19: Emergency Measures Tracker” (last updated 11 May 2020), online: McCarthy  Tetrault  <https://www.mccarthy.ca/en/insights/ articles/covid-19-emergency-measures-tracker>. See also Government of British Columbia, “COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions related to Provincial Orders” (last updated 8 May 2020), online: Government  of  British  Columbia  <https:// www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recov- ery/local-emergency-programs/local-government-first-nations-faq/provincial- orders-faq>, citing Emergency  Program  Act, RSBC 1996, Ch 111, s 14. 24. Joel Ballard, “Coastal First Nations and Municipalities Vow Continued COVID- 19 Enforcement, Potential Hwy 16 Checkpoint”, CBC News (1 May 2020), online: <https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/haida-nation-enforcement- hwy-16-1.5552247>. 25. See e.g. District of Tofino, “COVID-19 Updates” (29 March 2020), online: District of  Tofino <http://tofino.ca/blog/view/covid-19-updates>. 26. Natalia Balcerzak, “‘We Don’t Understand’: B.C. Coastal Communities Brace for Tourists as Province Opens Hunting, Fishing Season”, The Nar- whal (28 April 2020), online: <https://thenarwhal.ca/coronavirus-bc-coastal- communities-brace-tourists-province-hunting-fishing-season/>. 27. Nathaniel Basen, “COVID-19: The Week in Review with Epidemiologist David Fisman (May 17–22)”, TVO (23 May 2020), online: <https://www.tvo.org/article/ covid-19-the-week-in-review-with-epidemiologist-david-fisman-may-17-22>.