Ontario issues stay-at-home order except for essentials

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
Trudeau, Ford denounce threats against Niagara health official
Author of the article:Eddie Chau
Publishing date:Feb 14, 2021 • 20 hours ago • 2 minute read

Mustafa Hirji, Niagara Region's acting Medical Officer of Health. PHOTO BY SCREENSHOT /Twitter/mustafahirji
Article content
Threats made against a health official in the Niagara Region have been denounced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

In tweets posted on Saturday, Trudeau and Ford spoke out against threats made to Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara’s acting medical officer of health, as the region is slated to remain in the grey lockdown zone while other parts of the province begin to reopen next week.



Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“I am outraged to hear threats have been made against Dr. Mustafa Hirji, the medical officer of health for Niagara Region. This rhetoric is unacceptable, and I strongly condemn it,” Trudeau tweeted. “He, and all public health officials working to keep us safe, deserve nothing but our sincere thanks.”


Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“There is absolutely no place for these kinds of threats in Ontario,” Ford tweeted. “Cut it out. Our health officials have only one priority: the health and well-being of their communities. We’re lucky to have such dedicated public health officials in Ontario.”

The St. Catharines Standard reported threats against Hirji began in response to comments made by Alicia Hirter, the owner of Chrome Artistic Barbering in St. Catharines, who wanted the doctor turfed after her business was fined and shut down for alleged violations of COVID-19 regulations.

The threats intensified on Facebook after it was announced Niagara will remain in lockdown as the region enters the grey zone next week.


“The bastard has to GO NOW. By any means necessary including FORCE,” stated one Facebook user. Another wrote: “Let’s put his head on a stick,” according to the Standard.

Niagara Regional Police stated in a tweet that officers are aware of the threats made on social and an investigation has launched.


Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
On Saturday, Hirji addressed the threats, stating the “excessive anger of a few today should not distract from the suffering of many during this pandemic” and noted “frustration is understandable.”

“Thanks to everyone for their words of support this evening, including the #WeStandWithDrHirji tag. I’m deeply humbled by the volume & breadth of support,” Hirji tweeted. “More importantly, I’m gratified that, so many are speaking up against violent language — such discourse corrodes our unity.”
 

pgs

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 29, 2008
26,543
6,923
113
B.C.
I don't see anything wrong with this. If they have COVID they should be confined. Patients with dementia may not otherwise follow instructions.
Back in the bubonic plaque days , they boarded up the carriers houses , forced quarantine, is that your idea ?
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
Police investigating missing door handles at retirement home
Author of the article:
Bryan Passifiume
Publishing date:
Feb 15, 2021 • 13 hours ago • 1 minute read
An investigation is under way after reports surfaced that residents of White Cliffe Terrace Retirement Residence, in Courtice, had their door handles removed to prevent them from leaving their suites. Photo by Jack Boland /Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network
Article content

Durham Regional Police officers have opened an investigation into allegations that staff removed door handles of residential units inside a Courtice senior’s home.

Officers on Friday began looking into complaints that staff members of White Cliffe Terrace Retirement Residence, on Hwy. 2 just east of Varcoe Rd., had removed the door handles of some residents’ rooms in the home’s assisted living unit — ostensibly preventing them from leaving their rooms.

Police are also investigating threats made against the home and staff over the weekend.

David Bird, CEO of White Cliffe operator Diversicare Canada, expressed outrage over the allegations, and told the Toronto Sun’s Joe Warmington on Saturday the home’s general manager had been placed on leave.

Bird issued an apology, and promised a thorough review.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @bryanpassifiume
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
Judge mistakenly assigned cases while abroad, court says

The court says a regional senior justice had cleared the judge to travel for personal reasons
Author of the article:
Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Publishing date:
Feb 17, 2021 • 20 hours ago • 1 minute read
Enforcing COVID-19 rules. Getty Images
Article content

Ontario’s Superior Court says a judge was inadvertently assigned cases to hear while outside the province.

The court says a regional senior justice had cleared the judge to travel for personal reasons.

It also says no more cases will now be handed to the judge, who is scheduled to return home by the end of the month.

The court did not confirm a CBC report that the female justice had presided over cases from the Turks and Caicos.

The court did not identify the judge involved but said the situation was “very specific” and the travel approved.

The province’s three chief justices have previously advised members of the judiciary against non-essential travel due to COVID-19.
 

pgs

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 29, 2008
26,543
6,923
113
B.C.
Judge mistakenly assigned cases while abroad, court says

The court says a regional senior justice had cleared the judge to travel for personal reasons
Author of the article:
Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Publishing date:
Feb 17, 2021 • 20 hours ago • 1 minute read
Enforcing COVID-19 rules. Getty Images
Article content

Ontario’s Superior Court says a judge was inadvertently assigned cases to hear while outside the province.

The court says a regional senior justice had cleared the judge to travel for personal reasons.

It also says no more cases will now be handed to the judge, who is scheduled to return home by the end of the month.

The court did not confirm a CBC report that the female justice had presided over cases from the Turks and Caicos.

The court did not identify the judge involved but said the situation was “very specific” and the travel approved.

The province’s three chief justices have previously advised members of the judiciary against non-essential travel due to COVID-19.
Personal reasons like I need a vacation .
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
Toronto sees spike in COVID-infected flights from India

Two flights per day in some cases landed at YYZ carrying COVID infected passengers since Feb. 4
Author of the article:
Bryan Passifiume
Publishing date:
Feb 19, 2021 • 13 hours ago • 1 minute read
Passengers arrive at Toronto's Pearson airport after mandatory COVID-19 testing took effect for international arrivals, in Mississauga, Ont., Feb. 1, 2021. Photo by Carlos Osorio /REUTERS
Article content

Thirteen flights from India landed at Toronto airport carrying passengers with COVID-19.

Data published by Health Canada shows the Toronto bound flights, two per day in some cases, departed Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi carried at least one passenger who tested positive for the potentially fatal respiratory virus between Feb. 4 and Feb. 14.
Demi Lovato can no longer drive after drug overdose

Tracker dslogo

The flights were operated by both Air Canada and Air India.

While Canada requested airlines halt flights to the Caribbean and Mexico as of Jan. 31, airlines are still permitted to operate flights to other destinations.

Both Frankfurt and Jamaica had the second-most number of COVID infected landings at YYZ over the past two weeks, tied with seven.

London Heathrow came third with five, followed by Dubai with four, Istanbul, Pakistan, Dominican Republic and Mexico with three, and the United Arab Emirates and Cairo with two.

Other countries with single flights include Qatar, The Netherlands, Portugal and Ethiopia.
Advertisement
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content

There were 13 flights from the US carrying infected passengers, with three each landing in Toronto from Charlotte, Newark and Chicago.

As of Feb. 14, travellers over the age of 5 entering Canada via air are required to provide proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure.

That requirement extends to those entering via land border crossings on Feb. 21.

Since Feb. 4, 95 flights landed at Canadian airports carrying passengers who tested positive for COVID-19 over the past two weeks — the longest amount of time Health Canada maintains its publicly-available infected flight data.
More On This Topic
International arrivals are posted at Toronto Pearson International Airport, July 22, 2020.
India, Mexico, Germany top sources for T.O. overseas COVID flights
A passenger is covered head to toe at the International Arrivals area at Terminal 3 at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.
WARMINGTON: Why allow flights to land from COVID hotspots?
International arrivals are posted at Toronto Pearson International Airport, July 22, 2020.
Canada sees spike of COVID infections on European flights

Seventy-three of those flights landed in Toronto, followed by eight in Calgary, seven in Montreal, six in Vancouver and one in Ottawa.

Health Canada doesn’t list the number of infected passengers per flight, just ranges of two row numbers where passengers who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 may have sat.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @bryanpassifiume
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Satelitte Radio Addict
May 28, 2007
14,591
2,336
113
Toronto, ON
What happened to their 72 hour covid tests prior to boarding? And didn't they get tested and quarantined on arrival at their expense? Or is that privelege only reserved for Canadian Citizens?
 

bob the dog

Council Member
Aug 14, 2020
1,086
850
113
I don't see anything wrong with this. If they have COVID they should be confined. Patients with dementia may not otherwise follow instructions.
Comes to a point when it is doubtful that you are doing the "patient" any benefit beyond allowing them to serve as a revenue stream for the institution and a convenience for the family. The last person to have any say is the "patient" and I can't imagine one who is happy to be there.
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
Clandestine haircuts and manicures: underground economy a pandemic problem
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Nicole Thompson
Publishing date:Feb 19, 2021 • 19 hours ago • 3 minute read

A sign pointing to Chrome Artistic Barbering in St. Catharines, Ont., Jan. 20, 2021. PHOTO BY ERNEST DOROSZUK /Toronto Sun / Postmedia Network
Article content
An underground economy that’s expanded during Ontario’s stay-at-home order hurts public finances and could be contributing to the spread of COVID-19, public health officials and experts said.

Bylaw officers in one of the province’s COVID-19 hot spots have issued dozens of fines for businesses operating against public health orders in York Region.


“We’re seeing an increase in underground activity,” said Dr. Karim Kurji, the region’s medical officer of health. “We do get anecdotal reports of people using their basements to carry out their particular trades, and we would much rather that this be done openly, with all the appropriate precautions put in place.”

The health region knows of at least one instance where a virus variant was spread after a nail technician visited customers’ homes to perform services, Kurji said, though the health unit lacks precise data on how widespread the issue is, given the businesses’ underground nature.

Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
A browse through Facebook Marketplace, the tech giant’s online classifieds service, shows numerous listings for haircuts, manicures and eyelash extensions — all services that are verboten in regions under a stay-at-home order or in the grey-lockdown phase of the province’s reopening plan.

“In your home or mine!” one listing proclaims.

The Canadian Press reached out to a number of those offering such services but none agreed to be interviewed.

The top doctor in Niagara Region, which is currently in the grey-lockdown phase of reopening, said he is also aware of some businesses operating under the table in an effort to skirt public health rules.


“Such operations are very much a risk of transmission given their rejection of provincial and local measures to protect our populations and economy from COVID-19,” Dr. Mustafa Hirji said in an emailed statement.

Catherine Connelly, a professor of organizational behaviour at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, said the underground economy has long been an issue.

Statistics Canada valued the nation’s underground economy at $61.2 billion in 2018, or roughly 2.7 per cent of the GDP.

Connelly said that’s likely grown due to the pandemic, which has also made the consequences of bending the rules far more serious.

“People don’t think of the broader consequences of something simple like a haircut or home renovations,” she said.


It poses challenges for contact tracers, who may have trouble getting the truth out of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 after frequenting illicit barbershops, Connelly said.

Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
There are economic implications too, she noted.

“We desperately need the tax revenue. As a society, this is how we function that we get to have nice things like hospitals, and schools and stuff like that, but it’s never top of mind,” she said.

Connelly said she’s hopeful that the province’s reopening will drive some people back to the up-and-up.

“With the relaxing of some of the rules, I think some of the underground economy has evaporated,” she said. “But I think some people also got used to it during the lockdown periods and this might just carry on indefinitely.”

The head of a small-business industry group said he doesn’t believe the issue is widespread, but he understands why some business owners may have felt compelled to go on operating contrary to public health rules.

“Some of the rules are so nonsensical that I can understand why some business owners may be choosing to take the law into their own hands,” said Dan Kelly, CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses.

“But that would be a pretty big risk to the future of their business to do that.”
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Satelitte Radio Addict
May 28, 2007
14,591
2,336
113
Toronto, ON
Underground and unregulated activity is the natural and logical consequence of too severe restrictions but the government. Extended lockdowns do not work. People eventually will just ignore them and find ways around them,
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
Cops crash highrise condo party after bottles tossed to the ground
Four face criminal charges in downtown incident

Author of the article:Jane Stevenson
Publishing date:Feb 22, 2021 • 4 hours ago • 1 minute read

Toronto Police closed off the intersection at York St. and Lake Shore Blvd. after reports of bottles being thrown from a condo balcony on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2021. PHOTO BY TWITTER SCREEN GRAB /TORONTO POLICE
Article content
Toronto Police laid charges after bottles were tossed from a 35th-floor downtown condo on Sunday.

Toronto Police Chief James Ramer tweeted that bottles tossed from a 35th-floor balcony at a condo building at York St. and Lake Shore Blvd. narrowly missed officers, endangering their lives.

Bait and switch? ‘Fishing bait’ among labels drug smugglers used to try to sneak weed…
Trackerdslogo
No one was injured.


Ramer reported that 14 people in the condo were issued fines for violating COVID restrictions and three were arrested and charged criminally.

Late Sunday night, police released details of the charges.

Seven people were charged with failing to comply with emergency orders under the Re-Opening Ontario Act, while four people faced criminal charges.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Nathaniel Brettell, 56, was last seen on Thursday, January, 21, 2021, in the Westona Street and Dixon Road area of Toronto.
Missing man case now a homicide: Toronto cops
Lights of a police car.
CRIME BRIEFS: Brampton man allegedly tried to kill his mom, say cops
According to sources, 45 staff members at Toronto Police's 31 Division are off work due to COVID-19.
WARMINGTON: COVID-19 numbers are going down, but not with Toronto Police

Santiago Marquez, 22, Diego Caro Osorio, 23, and Jeison Torres, 37, all of Toronto, and Giraldo Angel, 22, of Hamilton, have been charged with common nuisance, mischief endangering life, assault peace officer with a weapon and unlawfully possess schedule 1.

They were to appear in court at Old City Hall on Monday morning.

Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content

Marcella “Chair Girl” Zoia was sentenced to two years of probation, a $2,000 fine and 150 hours of community service, after she was videotaped throwing a chair off a 45th floor Toronto condo balcony onto Lake Shore Blvd. in February 2019. She pleaded guilty to mischief endangering life.
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
WARMINGTON: Health officials at airport lack manners, respect
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Publishing date:Feb 23, 2021 • 14 hours ago • 3 minute read

Fatim Ali holds her baby Motinsar, after arriving from Sudan at Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International airport on Feb. 22, 2021. PHOTO BY ERNEST DOROSZUK, TORONTO SUN /Toronto Sun
Article content
Women and children first?

Not in Canada on Monday!

NHL Legend Mark Messier teams up with CBD water company

Trackerdslogo
This country may be good at keeping the coronavirus from spreading, but some health officials at Pearson International Airport could work on their manners. And basic human respect and empathy.

“I want to go home,” said Fatim Ali Monday as she cradled her tiny 16-month-old boy, Motinsar.

And as a non-criminal, who has not been told she or her child are COVID positive, she should have gotten her wish to return home.

But in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Canada, she was not only told she couldn’t but also had to continue to stand in line until a shuttle bus arrived to take her and her infant to a quarantine hotel.

She had just landed from a 16-hour flight from Sudan where she was away for 15 days tending to a family emergency. She said a relative was badly injured in a car crash.


Fatim said she did not know about the mandatory hotel isolation order and was expecting to be picked up by her husband.

Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“He is outside waiting,” she said.

To make matters worse, little Motinsar had a bad cough.

His mom left the roped-in areas — set up to corral the masses for eventual containment in a designated hotel — and moved over to where she could sit down.

Some officials took umbrage and sternly reminded she must obey the rules. Instead of flexibility and outside-the-box thinking, there seemed to a perfect storm of red-tape madness in Terminal 1.


When Fatim complained, an agent with PHAC Canada written on the back of her vest quipped “you shouldn’t be travelling in a pandemic.”

It was the same scolding tone many politicians use.

This was no time for a lecture from someone who is supposed to be there to help.

It’s not how any person should be spoken to — let alone a mom and baby. Sensitivity is always the better approach and perhaps this agent and others will learn from it for next time.


Heather Yen, arriving from Shanghai, awaits transportation to a quarantine hotel from Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International airport on Monday Feb. 22, 2021. ERNEST DOROSZUK/TORONTO SUN
Eventually, her husband found his way into the airport where he received even less sympathy.

“My child is sick,” said Mohamad Ali. “We need to get them home.”

But authorities dug in their heels to ensure they were taken to a COVID hotel.

It was obscene. Cruel and unusual punishment. Uncaring. Unnecessary. Devoid of human dignity or compassion. Draconian.

In many cases, there’s no reason why people can’t quarantine at home. Holding people against their will is unconstitutional.

Instead of bureaucratic paperwork, someone should have called a doctor. Eventually a taxi came to take them to a hotel.

Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
This was not the only crazy story.

Attique Shabbir and his pregnant wife, Zunara, and their 10-month-old baby, Yusuf, got caught in this mess after arriving from Pakistan and were taken to the Alt Hotel by the airport train link.

Yousif Adez and Mohamed Elkashif landed from Sudan and were taken to the Holiday Inn.

Elkashif didn’t have enough room on his credit card to pay the $1,900 hotel fee, so he was fortunate his longtime pal, Adez, was on the same plane to help out.

“It feels like we are in jail,” said Adez.

But not everybody was upset with this new procedure.

“When I went to Shanghai, it was a 14-day quarantine,” said Heather Yen. “It’s needed to keep people safe.”

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Vehicles outside Terminal One at Pearson airport on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021 ahead of the start of the mandatory three-day quarantine for passengers returning from non-essential travel.
WARMINGTON: Pearson bracing for potential 'chaos' as new hotel rules implemented
A passenger is pictured at Pearson International Airport on Jan. 31, 2021.
New travel restrictions catch flak at Pearson International Airport
Passengers arrive at Toronto's Pearson airport after mandatory COVID-19 testing took effect for international arrivals, in Mississauga, Ont., Feb. 1, 2021.
Toronto sees spike in COVID-infected flights from India

That said, there are things that can be learned from the first day of this new mandatory hotel containment.

A better booking system is needed, the price should not fluctuate between hotels and moms with babies should always be first.
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
RANKS WITH CHAIR GIRL: Mayor decries downtown bottle-tossers
Tory drew parallels between four men accused of tossing glass bottles from a downtown highrise and Chair Girl

Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Publishing date:Feb 23, 2021 • 3 hours ago • 1 minute read

Toronto Mayor John Tory is pictured at a press conference on Feb. 20, 2021. PHOTO BY THE CANADIAN PRESS /Toronto Sun
Article content
It was a stunt that fell disastrous flat.

Mayor John Tory on Monday drew parallels between those responsible for throwing bottles at police officers from a downtown highrise and Chair Girl — real name Marcella Zoia — who gained infamy two years ago after tossing a chair from the balcony of a 45th-floor condo.

PANDEMIC TRAVEL: Mandatory hotel isolation
Trackerdslogo
“The throwing of the bottles off the condo building ranks right up there with Chair Girl as being among the most grossly irresponsible acts that we’ve seen during the course of the pandemic,” he said.

“These are people who are so beyond the scale of irresponsibility, it’s almost unimaginable,” added Tory.


On Sunday, Toronto Police officers were called to a condo building at York St. and Lake Shore Blvd. to break up a party in a condo being used as a short-term rental. Once police arrived, partygoers began tossing glass bottles at officers 35 floors below, narrowly missing them.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Marcella Zoia, AKA Chair Girl, has started her own OnlyFans page.
Micro-celeb Chair Girl tosses lot in with raunchy OnlyFans
Marcella Zoia was sentenced to two years probation and a $2,000 fine on July 21, 2020.
'Chair girl' spared jail time for tossing chair off 45th-floor balcony
Toronto Police closed off the intersection at York St. and Lake Shore Blvd. after reports of bottles being thrown from a condo balcony on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2021.
Cops crash highrise condo party after bottles tossed to the ground

Police charged four people — Giraldo Angel, 22, of Hamilton, and Toronto residents Diego Caro Osorio, 23, Jeison Torres, 37, and Santiago Marquez, 22 — with offences that include mischief endangering life, and assault of a peace officer with a weapon.


Seven others were charged under the Re-Opening Ontario Act.

Zoia pleaded guilty to mischief causing danger to life and was sentenced to two years probation, a $2,000 fine and 150 hours community service.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @bryanpassifiume
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
Toronto Police probing two more highrise bottle tossings
A car windshield was broken but nobody was injured

Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Publishing date:Feb 23, 2021 • 30 minutes ago • 1 minute read

Toronto Police closed off the intersection at York St. and Lake Shore Blvd. after reports of bottles being thrown from a condo balcony on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2021. PHOTO BY TWITTER SCREEN GRAB /TORONTO POLICE
Article content
Toronto Police are investigating two more cases of bottles being tossed from highrise buildings, with one apparently narrowly missing parents taking kids to a nearby daycare.

Details are still scarce, but police say a citizen reported a bottle falling from a building at Weston Rd. and Sheppard Ave. W. at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

PANDEMIC TRAVEL: Mandatory hotel isolation
Trackerdslogo
That bottle allegedly narrowly missed striking parents and kids near an adjacent daycare.


Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
An update is expected later in the morning.

If substantiated, this would be the third such case in as many days in Toronto.

On Monday evening, police were called for reports of water bottles and food being tossed from a highrise condo complex near Richmond St. and Bay St. at around 9:30 p.m.

The objects smashed a car’s windshield, but police say nobody was injured.


Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Police say they were unable to locate which floor or unit in the nearly 60-storey building was responsible, but are continuing their investigation.

This comes one day after four men were charged after police had glass bottles tossed at them from a 35th floor condo at York St. and Lake Shore Blvd. housing a short-term rental unit being used for a large party.

Police charged four people — Giraldo Angel, 22, of Hamilton, and Toronto residents Diego Caro Osorio, 23, Jeison Torres, 37, and Santiago Marquez, 22 — with offences that include mischief endangering life, and assault of a peace officer with a weapon.

Anyone with information is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @bryanpassifiume
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
35,667
3,004
113
Quarantine screening officer charged with sex assault, extortion: Halton cops
A 27-year-old Hamilton man has been charged

Author of the article:Jenny Yuen
Publishing date:Feb 24, 2021 • 16 hours ago • 1 minute read • comment bubble17 Comments
A Halton Regional Police cruiser
A Halton Regional Police cruiser PHOTO BY SUPPLIED /Halton Regional Police
Article content
A security guard hired to ensure compliance with quarantine requirements in Oakville faces sexual assault and extortion charges.

Halton Regional Police say that on Feb. 18, a guard went to a home in Oakville to do a quarantine compliance check. He allegedly told a woman they were in violation of the quarantine order and then demanded cash for the fine. When she refused to pay, police allege he sexually assaulted her.


Investigators said the accused is an employee of one of four private security companies hired and trained by the Public Health Agency of Canada to be a screening officer under the Quarantine Act.

Screening officers visit travellers’ quarantine locations to establish contact, verify identify and confirm that travellers are at the place of quarantine they identified upon entry into Canada for their mandatory 14-day isolation, police said.

On Tuesday, police officers with the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit made an arrest.

Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
MORE ON THIS TOPIC

The flight arrival lineup at Pearson International Airport located in Terminal One on February 22, 2021.
Some passengers arriving at Pearson violating Quarantine Act
Vehicles outside Terminal One at Pearson airport on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021 ahead of the start of the mandatory three-day quarantine for passengers returning from non-essential travel.
WARMINGTON: Pearson bracing for potential 'chaos' as new hotel rules implemented

Hemant (full name), 27, of Hamilton, was charged with sexual assault and extortion.

Police said they will not be disclosing the name of the security company he worked for, but can confirm he has been suspended.

Hemant was released from custody pending a court appearance in Milton on March 23.


Investigators said there may be other alleged victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

jyuen@postmedia.com