B.C. couple pleads guilty after flying to Yukon to jump COVID-19 vaccine queue - CTV News Vancouver

couple accused of chartering a flight to a remote Yukon community to get their COVID-19 vaccinations before they were eligible in their home province.

Chief Judge Michael Cozens acknowledged mitigating factors during the hearing, including that no one contracted COVID-19 through the couple.

The court heard they have also each donated $5,000 to COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, or COVAX, a worldwide effort to ensure fair access to doses.

In an agreed statement of facts, the court heard the Vancouver couple flew to the area, claiming they were there for tourism and education.

It is alleged the purpose of this trip was so that the couple could secure their first doses of COVID-19 vaccines early, as they were not yet eligible through B.C.'s age-based timeline

Crown attorney Kelly McGill said there was a "high level of deception" involved, including that they'd pre-registered to get their shots at the clinic

According to McGill, the trip cost the couple about $10,000

The Bakers chose not to speak during Wednesday's hearing, but their lawyer told the court they apologized unreservedly, and that they regret the impact of their actions, including psychological harm to the community outlined in an impact statement

Janet Vander Meer, a member of the White River First Nation which makes up about half of Beaver Creek's population of 100, said some of the area's most vulnerable residents felt anxiety, thinking the clinic may not have been safe

Prior to the incident, Vander Meer said in her statement, "It was never a thought in our mind that someone would take advantage of our situation as a small, remote community."

As for when they'd get their second dose of the vaccine, B.C.'s Ministry of Health said at the time where was "no room" in its system for people who deliberately skipped the line, and that they would not be able to book an appointment in the province until others in their age category are eligible for that dose

B.C.'s top doctor, who has been leading the province's fight against COVID-19, said if the allegations were true, the Bakers should be "ashamed."

address is accused of travelling to the Yukon to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and failing to self-isolate upon their arrival