City releases COVID-19 reported violations and enforcement summary

Email icon Back to Search

BRANTFORD, ON: As part of the City's continuing efforts to stop the spread of Coronavirus Covid-19, on March 30th, 2020, Mayor Kevin Davis signed an order to temporarily close all City-owned playgrounds and other outdoor amenities.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial Government passed a number of Province-wide Orders to limit public interaction in a province wide effort to slow the spread of the virus. These Orders require enforcement at the local level. To respond to the immediate need, two (2) additional City By-law Officers were hired on short term contracts until May 31, 2020 to assist with these additional enforcement measures, bringing the total number of City By-law Officers to eight (8). The Provincial Orders that are primarily enforced locally include:

  • Order 52/20 - Limits to gatherings/social events of no more than 5 people
  • Order 82/20 - Closure of Non-essential businesses
  • Order 104/20 - Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities

By-law Officers are joined in the field by several Officers from the Fire Prevention Division of the Brantford Fire Department and four (4) part-time enforcement staff from the Brant County Health Unit. The joint approach focuses on education first, followed by enforcement as situations merit enforcement actions. At all times, enforcement staff stress the importance of physical distancing, frequent hand washing and limited public interaction – all of which remain vital to reducing the spread of COVID-19.

“We recognize that the measures the City continues to enforce are disruptive, however, these actions must continue to protect public health and safety, which remains our top priority”, said Mayor Kevin Davis. “I am very proud of how our community has collectively responded to adhere to these measures and implore all citizens to continue to comply to protect themselves and others. Physical distancing is still the most effective tool to slow the spread of the virus.”

Today, the City released a summary of enforcement statistics related to reported violations and enforcement actions taken from April 19th to May 2, 2020.

To date, there (3) charges have been laid by City By-law Officers. These Part 1 Offence Notices carry the minimum fine of $750 plus court fees totalling $880.00. They include:

  • a non-essential business failing to close
  • an individual failing to leave a municipal park amenity, and
  • a business continuing to construct when deemed non-essential construction.

HOW TO REPORT A COVID-19 VIOLATION
To report a violation of a provincial or municipal order implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19, citizens can email the City at covidviolations@brantford.ca or call the City’s Customer Contact Center at 519-759-4150. The preferred first touch point is to email the City of Brantford at covidviolations@brantford.ca.

During response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) is also conducting complaint based inspections.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS
In order to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19, residents are reminded to practice physical distancing of remaining 2 metres (6 ft) apart from others in public at all times.

Please continue to be mindful of the members of our community who are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Physical distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness.

For additional updates regarding City programs and services, and the continuity of essential services visit the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages and brantford.ca/Covid-19.

-30-

Media Contact
Maria Visocchi - Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519.751.9900 ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca