Ottawa bylaw officers cracking down on parks and parties

Watson added that a team of bylaw officers in Ottawa are now able to give fines to anyone taking part in a house party or coming together in the city's parks and public spaces, according to CTV News.

Over the weekend, 50 complaints were received by the city regarding gatherings and house parties.

Watson said that Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services have been given the ability—under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act—to enforce these rules.

Ottawa Bylaw officers will be monitoring calls that relate to:

• Public/Private residence gatherings of five or more
• People gathering in parks or using park facilities
• Restaurants providing dine-in services
• Non-essential retail businesses that continue doing business

“It’s completely irresponsible when I get reports back that people are having house parties or porch parties and they’re pouring out onto the street” noted Watson.

“We need the tools that the province has given us so that we can let these people know that it’s not only illegal, it’s idiotic to be holding a house party in the midst of a pandemic.”

Last week the City of Ottawa announced that all of the city’s parks are closed along with playground equipment. Watson told parents to stop taking their kids to the parks.

“The parks are closed, except to walk through them, not to gather, not to use the playground equipment,” Watson said.

“I think parents also have to take responsibility, where are your kids? They shouldn’t be out there in groups of more than five, hanging around in a park.”

City residents are able to report incidents by calling 311.

Anthony Di Monte, the Emergency and Protective Services General Manager noted that the Bylaw Services officers will be progressive in their approach to the complaints.

According to Di Monte, individuals can receive fines of $750 - $100,000 for failure to comply.

Calls that are related to coronavirus quarantine orders will continue to be enforced by the Ottawa Police Service.

Complaints can be reported to Police at 613-236-1222 ext. 7502.