Provincial inspectors handed out more than two dozen fines to Ottawa businesses on the weekend as part of a "big-box blitz" aimed at sniffing out COVID-19 scofflaws. Ottawa bylaw officers worked alongside the provincial inspectors, handing out 10 fines and two warnings. The ticketing blitz comes after some in the small business community criticized the province's decision to allow big-box stores to remain open while other retailers have been forced to close. They're not even following the rules," said Mark Kaluski, chair of the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas. Some small business owners maintain they can reopen safely.

Source: CBC News January 25, 2021 19:51 UTC