Citizens could face up to $100K in fines under Vaughan's COVID-19 emergency bylaw

Bylaw’s measures govern social distancing, tenants’ protection, more

Yorkregion.com
April 9, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Vaughan council approved new emergency measures April 8 to further enforce COVID-19 rules in the city.

In a statement, the city warned those who don’t comply with the Emergency Measures Bylaw could be subject to fines ranging from $500 to $100,000.

The bylaw’s measures are to further enforce physical distancing, protect tenants from discontinuance of vital services by a landlord, including gas, hydro, fuels, and water, and limit, regulate or prohibit access to any public property.

The measures also cancel, reduce or defer fees, charges or other amounts owed to the city by individuals or businesses who can't afford to pay them due to income loss.

"The Emergency Measures Bylaw marks the latest action taken by the city to break the transmission of the global COVID-19 pandemic," Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said. "We remain committed to undertaking every measure that helps to safeguard the health and well-being of citizens, businesses, the community and workers maintaining essential services.

"Let me remind the public that ignoring self-isolation or physical distancing advice can have devastating effects and endanger lives. We are in this together and we will emerge stronger."

As of April 8, Vaughan --the second most populated York Region --has the most cases of COVID-19 in the region at 259, with 11 hospitalized and six deaths. York Region’s most populous city, Markham, has the second most cases, at 119, with 11 hospitalized and 15 dead.

Meanwhile, the city described the new bylaw as "aligning" with "previous steps taken" by the city to keep public safety. It also comes after the city, on March 17, declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19, which saw the closure of Vaughan City Hall, community centres, library branches and all other city facilities to the public.