A new bylaw in Lion's Bay, B.C., that restricts diving in the village's picturesque waters to local residents has some visitors up in arms.
Any outsider caught dipping in on the public beach could be fined up to $10,000.
One out-of-town diver who ignored the bylaw on Friday said the restrictions make no sense.
"They're after the wrong people," Steve Redding said.
But local residents make no apologies. The beach has become a party zone.
One resident even said she wants a gate.
Mayor Brenda Broughton says the law has been checked over thoroughly by the village's lawyers.
"No persons may scuba dive at Lion's Bay Beach Park. It's pretty straight forward," she said.
CTV spoke with several lawyers who called the bylaw laughable and suspect it is unconstitutional.
The outrage has spread to the community's own website.
"It would seem more productive to collect a healthy parking fee," one person wrote.
"Lions Bay looked elitist, small and nasty. Way to go Mayor and Council," wrote another.
The mayor says she has no intention of backing down.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's St. John Alexander
