A number of regulations have been passed by the Province under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 and the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to limit the spread of COVID-19.

In addition, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU)’s Medical Officer of Health has the power under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to order individuals or businesses, or certain classes of people or businesses, to take or refrain from taking specific actions in respect of a communicable disease. Failure to follow these orders can result in fines or closures. Further, under the Reopening Ontario Act, the Medical Officer of Health has the authority to issue instructions to businesses and organizations to take additional measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Section 22 orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act and instructions issued under the Reopening Ontario Act that have been issued in response to COVID-19 by SMDHU’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Charles Gardner, are listed here.

Police and Provincial Offences Officers (such as SMDHU’s public health inspectors and tobacco enforcement officers, as well as municipal bylaw enforcement officers) are responsible for enforcing these public health measures. Offences under the Reopening Ontario Act that have been issued by the Police or Municipal Provincial Offences Officers are not listed below. The following lists the charges to-date issued by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit under the provincial Reopening Ontario Act, The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and locally-issued Class Orders:

SUMMARY OF SMDHU Enforcement Actions

Page last updated: March 30, 2021