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Man Banned From Flying And Ordered Deported To India After Smoking And Refusing To Wear A Mask On WestJet Flight From Vancouver To Toronto
On a Toronto-bound WestJet flight from Vancouver, 59-year-old Balvir Singh caused a scene after smoking in his seat and refusing to wear a mask. As a result, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing in Winnipeg. According to Transport Canada, it’s the first time someone has been charged with that offence which carries a maximum fine of $5,000.
By DESIBUZZCanada Staff
VANCOUVER - A man from India has been ordered deported from Canada after facing serious charges as a consequence for his behaviour on a flight in June from BC to Ontario.
Fifty-nine-year-old Balvir Singh caused a scene after smoking in his seat and refusing to wear a mask on a Toronto-bound WestJet flight from Vancouver. As a result of Singh’s unruly behaviour, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing in Winnipeg.
Singh was arrested and taken into custody. He was charged with several offences — including failing to comply with the flight crew’s instructions to wear a face mask.
According to Transport Canada, it’s the first time someone has been charged with that offence which carries a maximum fine of $5,000.
The rule falls under an interim order put in place by Transport Canada because of COVID-19.
A directive issued April 20 by Transport Canada requires all passengers to wear a non-medical face mask or covering during a flight.
“In support of the directive, it is mandatory for guests to wear protective face coverings throughout their travel journey, including at the airport and while in flight,” reads a portion of the WestJet statement. “In addition and per the directive, travellers are required to show that they have a suitable face-covering prior to boarding a WestJet flight.”
The judge said of Singh’s behavior: “I understand you weren't feeling well when you got on the plane. Drinking did not help that… (and) created a scary situation for everybody.”
The judge ruled that Singh be banned from air travel in Canada and that he is to get deported to India.
Singh's lawyer Matt Gould argued in court that his client's low blood sugar during the flight, in addition to the drinking, made him act aggressively when dealing with staff. Gould also said there was a language barrier for his client.
While the allegations also involved smoking on a plane, Gould admitted the incident highlights how serious the consequences can be if someone refuses to wear a mask – starting with steep fines and harsher penalties if a plane is forced to make an unplanned stop.
Singh will be staying with a relative in Ontario for the time being because he cannot go back to India under the current COVID-19 circumstances, the court decided. But he will be eventually deported back to India.
