On the same afternoon that the province announced three Steinbach residents had died with COVID-19, a rally was held in the Automobile City to protest the wearing of masks.

Hundreds of people showed up for the protest in the parking lot at A.D. Penner Park to listen to speakers and show displeasure towards restrictions in Manitoba that mandate the use of masks in public spaces.

On Friday of this week, Steinbach's Mayor informed residents that organizers had not obtained a permit for this parade and had not received permission to use city facilities. Manitoba's Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced earlier in the week that anyone found violating public health orders, should be ticketed.

A large crowd gathers at the protest

Following Saturday afternoon's protest, enforcement officers began issuing tickets. Those ticketed included Lewis Weiss, Reeve for the RM of La Broquerie. A guest speaker at the protest, Weiss was issued a ticket worth $1,296 for Fail To Comply With A Public Emergency Order. 

Many of those in attendance then paraded down Steinbach Main Street, turning the protest into more of a public spectacle.