Reporting Covid-19 Violations
To enforce current provincial and local orders implemented to protect public health, the City implemented a reporting process by which members of the public can report Covid-19 violations to the City for investigation.
Covid-19 Related Complaint Form
Enforcement
The City’s Municipal By-law Enforcement Officers are fully engaged in both educating and enforcing provincial COVId-19 orders to ensure public safety guidelines and measures are adhered to.
While By-law Enforcement staff are directed to initially educate, when issues arise that demand and require enforcement, Municipal By-law Enforcement Officers will not hesitate to lay charges that currently carry a minimum fine of $880. Fines for repeat offenders escalate up to $10,000.
Brantford City By-law Officers have issued 11 charges relating to offences under both the Re-Opening Ontario Act and the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. These offences range from businesses operating in violation of the regulations, non-permitted construction activity, and social gatherings.
The City’s By-law Officers are on duty 7 days/nights a week to respond to complaints as they are received and to undertake proactive inspections of problem areas such as parks and general business locations.
Please review the provincial website for details on what is permissible in Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen.
Commonly Asked Questions
As the current situation continues to evolve, the most commonly asked questions the City receives will be updated to provide residents with current information on how the City of Brantford is enforcing the Provincial Orders under the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).
| How are the emergency orders currently in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 enforced? |
|
Contraventions of the Emergency Management and Civil Protections Act (EMPCA) and/or City of Brantford By-law violations will result in the attendance of a City By-law Officer or Brant County Health Unit Inspection Officer, supported by a member of Brantford Police Service or Ontario Provincial Police (if warranted). Should the City of Brantford institute any additional by-laws, they will be enforced by the City of Brantford’s By-law Enforcement Officers and supported by Police, if warranted. The severity of each infraction in relation to the potential risk to public health and the spread of COVID-19 will be considered when taking enforcement action. Consistent with existing enforcement approaches, a graduated approach to compliance will be implemented. This could include providing educational messaging or warnings to members of the public around the emergency orders and, if compliance is not obtained, the issuance of a ticket under the Provincial Offences Act or a summons under Part 3 of the Act. |
| Complaints related to self-isolation or quarantine |
|
On March 25, 2020 the Government of Canada invoked the Quarantine Act. This requires all travellers returning to Canada – with the exception of what the federal government is calling “essential workers” – enter a mandatory 14-day period of isolation, regardless of whether any symptoms of COVID-19 are present. For concerns related to returning travellers who are not self-isolating and who arrived on or after March 25, please contact Brant County Health Unit at 519-753-4937 and press '1'. |
| Complaints related to large gatherings on public property |
| To report a violation of COVID-19 provincial or municipal orders in Brantford, please use our online form or call the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 519-759-4150. |
| Complaints related to non-compliance with physical distancing guidelines on private property (e.g. grocery stores) |
|
Physical distancing of being two metres (six feet) apart from another person is required to control the spread of COVID-19. People should avoid crowds and practice physical distance everywhere, including in open establishments, such as malls or grocery stores. For complaints related to people not following the physical distance guideline on private property, please contact Brant County Health Unit at 519-753-4937 and press '1'. For more information on how to practice physical distancing, please visit the BCHU website. |
|
Businesses who have additional questions |
|
Companies and workplaces that have questions about the temporary closure of all non-essential workplaces related order can call Ontario’s Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. |
|
Employee Concerns |
|
If you have COVID-19 concerns or questions about your workplace or construction site, please call the Ministry of Labour’s Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008. |
|
What should I do if someone comes to my house, calls me or sends a text asking for COVID-19 relief donations or is selling COVID-19 related products and services? |
|
Brantford Police Services reminds the public to be extra vigilant when it comes to those trying to sell or provide products or services associated with COVID-19. Reliable, accurate and up-to-date information is provided through local public health officials. Anyone who believes they have been approached or contacted by someone who is misrepresenting themselves in an effort to sell goods or services should report this to Brantford Police online |
Subscribe to this Page
