Passenger refused to wear face mask on plane—faces $5,000 fine

Air passengers are required to wear face masks while travelling on board and through Canadian airports as per an interim order brought in by the federal government. The order is a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday night, a passenger aboard a plane headed from Vancouver to Winnipeg's Richardson International Airport refused to wear a face mask after staff on board asked him to do so.

The 39-year-old Winnipeg man now faces the charge of failing to comply with flight crew. If convicted, the man may face a fine of up to $5,000.

This is the second time an incident of this nature has happened this month. On June 14, a 59-year-old British Columbian man was arrested at the airport following disruptive behaviour. His behaviour caused the flight to land in Winnipeg despite the fact that its intended route was a direct flight from Vancouver to Toronto.

Police say the man began smoking a cigarette on the plane and refused to put it out at the request of the flight staff, causing the flight to be delayed over 90 minutes.