Ottawa establishment fined $76,250 for hookah use
An Ottawa establishment has been convicted of 32 charges for violations of the bylaw banning the use of water pipes in public places and workplaces and faces further charges.
Fines so far total $76,250, the bylaw department reported.
According to a statement from the City of Ottawa, on Feb. 19, a justice of the peace of the Ontario Court of Justice found the corporation 9054294 Canada Inc. operating as the Bay Rock Café guilty of 23 charges under the Water Pipes in Public Places and Workplaces Bylaw. Bay Rock Café was also found guilty of nine charges under the bylaw on Feb. 11.
A number of additional charges against Bay Rock Café were adjourned to May 9, the city said.
Three other establishments — the Sinbad Restaurant & Café Inc., PPL – 8760241 Canada Corporation and Al Mirage — were also convicted of charges under the bylaw this month and received fines of $18,550, $1,875 and $5,000 respectively.
Bylaw officers have issued more than 430 charges since the regulation came into effect in 2016. It bans the use of water pipes, better known as hookahs, in enclosed public places, enclosed workplaces and outdoor restaurant and bar patios.
“It is our hope that these significant fines will act as a deterrent for other establishments contravening the bylaw,” director of bylaw and regulatory services Roger Chapman said in a statement.
The City of Ottawa’s “Water Pipes in Public Places and Work Places” bylaw, which prohibits the use of water pipes, better known as hookahs, in enclosed public places, enclosed workplaces, and outdoor restaurant and bar patios, came into effect Dec. 1, 2016. Fines were issued starting in April 2017.