Local stores fined for breaking restrictions rules By: Josh Greschner
JOSH GRESCHNER
Travis Neufeld, owner of Great Canadian Dollar Store in Steinbach and Niverville, says the breakdown of the thousands of retail items sold in Manitoba as “essential” or “non-essential” is excessive, confounds business owners, and impedes sales. He said $5,000 fines and the lack of an appeal method are disproportionately harsh compared to how vague the essential items list is for inspectors, which give him mixed messages.
The provincial government is reconsidering the regulation of thousands of items sold in Manitoba stores as “essential” or “non-essential,” but it comes thousands of dollars too late for some local businesses.
WINNIPEG Manitoba enforcement officers handed out more than $80,000 in fines between Dec. 7 and 13 due to people and businesses breaking public health orders. According to the province’s latest COVID-19 enforcement update released on Dec. 15, there were 5,764 calls related to enforcement, but only 48 tickets were given out for non-compliance with public health orders. Enforcement officers handed out seven $5,000 fines to businesses, as well as 36 $1,296 fines to individuals for breaking the restrictions. They also gave out five $298 tickets to people not wearing masks in indoor public places. This is a total of $83,146 in fines between Dec. 7 and 13. Some of the businesses and organizations fined during this week include: