OTTAWA -- Mayor Jim Watson is telling Ottawa residents that it’s “idiotic to be holding a house party” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watson made the comment while announcing a dedicated team of Ottawa Bylaw officers now have the power to issue fines to people attending house parties or gathering at Ottawa’s parks and public spaces.
The City received 50 complaints over the weekend about house parties, people hanging out in groups and gathering in public parks and other spaces.
Watson told reporters in a Monday afternoon teleconference that the Ontario Government has given Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services new powers to enforce the rules under the Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Action.