City's mandatory mask bylaw calls for fines up to $400

Ottawa bylaw officers could soon be given the power to issue fines of up to $400 to people who aren't wearing masks in indoor public spaces, but the city says it has no plans to launch a crackdown.

City officialsoffered more details Fridayabout aproposed bylaw to make masks mandatory in an effort to limitthe community spread of COVID-19.

"We won't be patrolling ... for people that aren't wearing masks to give fines. That's not our approach," said Anthony Di Monte, the city's general manager of emergency and protective services, during a news conference.

The bylaw will have a fine component to it, but frankly I hope we never have to use that.- Coun. Keith Egli

Rather, the fine of $200 to $400would only be levied against thosewho repeatedly refuse to wear masks despite warnings andeducation, he said. That's much less than the default fine of $880 under Ontario's emergency legislation, Di Montenoted.

Mayor Jim Watson first signalled a week ago that the temporary bylawwould go before council for approval on July 15.

It lines up with, and builds on,a directive by Ottawa's medical officer of health that took effect Tuesday.

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Dr. Vera Etches had already laid out the places where people would need to cover their nose, mouth and chin,such as stores, museums and hotel lobbies.OC Transpo has also beenrequiringmasks on buses and trainsfor the past month.

Compliance 'really encouraging'

Etches said she's noticed Ottawa Public Healthsigns taped to storefronts alerting customers that masks are required inside, and said more and more residents appear to be complying.

"This is really encouraging, and I thank everyone for doing their part to keep COVID-19 low in our community," Etches said.

Etchesand her counterparts in neighbouring public health units said the focus is on educating people and making mask-wearing the norm toprevent a possible second wave of COVID-19 in the fall, and to helpkidsget back to school.

Coun. Keith Egli, chair ofOttawa's board of health, saidthat's the city's approach with this bylaw, too.

"The bylaw will have a fine component to it, but frankly I hope we never have to use that," Egli said. "What we've seen in the last couple of days with our businesses and with the customersis heartening, and shows we're on the right track."

Mask bylaw includes option for fines, but education still the focus, city says

4 years ago

Duration 1:12

Anthony Di Monte, Ottawas general manager of emergency and protective services, says able residents who refuse to wear a mask despite education efforts may be fined up to $400, though bylaw officers will only use the measure as a last resort.