Public Notices/Announcements - Windsor/Leamington - Enforcing Emergency Order during COVID-19 Outbreak
To better protect people during this COVID-19 outbreak, the Ontario Government has signed a ministerial designation under the Provincial Offences Act to authorize municipal by-law enforcement officers to enforce emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).
Leamington By-law Enforcement Officers are now working together with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to enforce EMCPA orders which include prohibiting persons accessing outdoor recreational amenities; prohibiting persons attending organized public events, social gatherings or religious services of more than 5 people; and prohibiting the operation of non-essential businesses.
Anyone found to be violating an order under EMCPA, will be required, upon request, to provide their correct name, date of birth and address to the OPP and/or Municipal By-law Enforcement Officers. Failing to correctly identify oneself carries a fine of $750 for failure to comply with an order made under the EMCPA or $1,000 for obstructing any person in exercising a power if a provincial offences officer issues a ticket. In addition, failure to comply with an emergency order could carry punishments of up to one-year imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000 for an individual, $500,000 for a director of a corporation, or $10,000,000 for a corporation itself if a provincial offences officer charges the individual by issuing a summons.
Members of the public can report EMCPA infractions by calling the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the Municipality at 519-326-5761 or reporting online at www.leamington.ca/reportanissue. Citizens are requested to use their judgment and only report blatant infractions.
In addition to responding to calls from the public, Bylaw Enforcement Officers are also conducting community patrols.