Ontario Slams Over 100 Fines On Big Box Stores In Their Inspection Blitz
It looks like Ontario is still cracking down on big box stores that aren't following COVID-19 rules.
The Ontario government announced on Friday that over 100 fines have been issued since the start of their inspection blitz this month.
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112
Fines issued this month.
According to a press release, after visiting 1,147 big box and other essential retail stores, 112 tickets were issued to businesses or individuals who went against safety measures.
While Ontario doesn't mention exactly which stores are facing charges, they state some of the most common errors included failing to properly screen guests and improper social distancing measures.
Corporations who are caught not following orders under the Reopening Ontario Act can be fined $1,000.
"We've marshalled hundreds of officers to inspect over 1,000 businesses in a few short weeks, and we'll keep it up as long as there are bad actors out there," states Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
The government plans to inspect another 400 stores this weekend in Toronto, Hamilton and the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
"If we find businesses putting people at risk, we will take immediate action. This late in the pandemic, there is absolutely no excuse for owners, staff and customers alike not to be following health and safety rules," McNaughton concludes.
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