Hamilton to name businesses fined for not following COVID-19 rules

The City of Hamilton will name businesses charged for not complying with COVID-19 safety measures. But only if someone asks.

This comes as the city was criticized for not releasing the name of a Stoney Creek business that was charged under provincial law and fined $3,000 for not following pandemic safety rules.

At Wednesday’s council meeting, Coun. Brad Clark put forward the motion to name the businesses that are charged for not following the rules.

Clark said he was “incredibly frustrated” to learn the city didn’t name the restaurant that had been fined.

“The public can’t say okay fine, if you’re not going to comply with these rules, then I’m not going to come to your business,” he said.

“In my mind, that deterrent factor is much stronger than any other factor that we have.”

His motion was unanimously approved.

City will now publicize businesses who are charged w/ a COVID offense (provincial order, municipal by-law) IF REQUESTED. Say they don’t want to point fingers but if a business is charged it means there is a serious circumstance and for that – they have no sympathy. @CHCHNews pic.twitter.com/2eYvP1aCdq

— Sylvie Lendvay (@sylvie_lendvay) November 12, 2020

It’s not clear whether or not the Stoney Creek restaurant will be named as the motion is being applied going forward.