Some parts of Ottawa known for taking it to the extreme on St. Patrick s Day are being reminded to obey rules as police and bylaw officers step up enforcement.
Police say they've learned from last year's Panda Game and are hopeful the changes they've made will prevent Saturday's parties from being a repeat of last year's chaos, but student and community groups say there's still more that could be done.
OTTAWA Ottawa Bylaw officers issued charges for illegal private gatherings at seven Ottawa residences over the New Year s weekend. Between New Year s Eve and Monday, Jan. 4, Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services (BLRS) issued 14 charges and six verbal warnings related to provincial orders and city of Ottawa bylaws about social gatherings and other activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Bylaw Services Director Roger Chapman said tickets worth $880 each were issued for social gatherings at seven private residences. During Ontario s province-wide shutdown, no indoor organized public events and social gatherings are allowed, except with members of the same household. A maximum of 10 people may gather for an outdoor social event, if they comply with public health advice on social distancing.