'Real consequences': Province targeting big box stores in York Region, COVID-19 hotspots

'Where we find an employer who has been acting in bad faith, we won't hesitate to take action by immediately slapping them with a ticket and a fine. There will be real consequences for those who break the rules,' says Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton.

Newmarkettoday.ca
Jan. 15, 2021

Starting this weekend, the provincial government will be conducting an inspection blitz on big box stores in York Region and other COVID-19 hotspots.

The province plans to send out 50 of its own inspectors, as well as local bylaw and police officers, to large retailers to ensure COVID-19 public health measures and emergency order requirements are being followed in York, Toronto, Hamilton, Peel and Durham, according to a news release.

Enforcement officers will be checking that employers, employees and customers are wearing masks and maintaining physical distance, and that capacity limits aren't being exceeded. Those found breaking the rules will be issued tickets and inspectors will have the power to temporarily close down businesses and disperse groups of more than five people.

"We know most businesses are operating responsibly and taking the necessary steps to protect their workers and customers, and I want to thank them for their efforts," said Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton in the news release.

"Where we find an employer who has been acting in bad faith, we won't hesitate to take action by immediately slapping them with a ticket and a fine. There will be real consequences for those who break the rules."

The blitz builds on the "Stay Safe All Day" campaign announced earlier this week, which will focus workplace inspections in areas of high transmission, including break rooms, and provide resource materials to employers and workers to promote safe behaviour before, during and after work.

The campaign targets workplaces with heightened risks that have been identified by using data from local public health units and information reported directly to the province.

Inspectors will focus on workplaces in the following sectors workplaces with reported COVID-19 outbreaks; manufacturing, warehousing, distribution centres, food processing, and publicly accessible workplaces deemed essential, such as grocery stores.

Ministry inspectors will also continue inspections at long-term care homes and retirement homes using a new data-sharing initiative with the Ministry of Long-Term Care and the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.