OPP charge Kenora man at 'large gathering' under Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Kenora charged a 38-year-old man on Saturday, after receiving a complaint about "a large group of people gathering at a residence in the south side" of the city.

Officers responded to the residence in the evening hours of April 18, 2020, police said in a media release on Monday.

According to police, officers educated all the people at the residence about emergency orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).

As a result, the 38-year-old man was charged with failing to comply with an order made during an emergency under the EMCPA.

Under the EMCPA, people are prohibited from gathering with more than five people and operating a non-essential business.

The act has also mandated the closure of all outdoor recreational amenities, such as playground equipment and soccer fields.

Individuals who do not comply with the order can receive a $750 fine or $1,000 for obstructing a person administering the offence.