OTTAWA — The agency responsible for policing federal lands in Ottawa has apologized to two young girls after their lemonade stand was shut down Sunday for not having a permit.
The girls, aged seven and five, set up the stand on a grassy median of an Ottawa parkway that's closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays and opened to cyclists, roller bladers and others on foot.
Lemonade stand: a copy of our full statement. #ottnews #ottcity #ottawa pic.twitter.com/P7ZgBJ9Nit
— NCC-CCN (@NCC_CCN) July 4, 2016
They had hoped to raise enough money for summer camp, but after selling over $50 worth of refreshments to parched pedestrians, they were told by an National Capital Commission officer to pack up and leave.
Lemonade stand: We reviewed the situation with Junior Conservation Officer on duty. We believe it could have been handled differently. 1/3
— NCC-CCN (@NCC_CCN) July 4, 2016
Today, the NCC says the junior conservation officer acted in good faith in enforcing federal land use rules.
Lemonade stand: We met with the Andrews family this morning to apologize and see how we can support Eliza and Adela going forward. 2/3
— NCC-CCN (@NCC_CCN) July 4, 2016
But in a statement the commission says the situation could have been handled differently.
It adds it has apologized to the family and has offered to help the girls reach their summer camp fund raising goal.
We have made great efforts to animate Capital green spaces and shorelines & will continue to encourage these entrepreneurial activities. 3/3
— NCC-CCN (@NCC_CCN) July 4, 2016
Before the apology was issued, a local restaurant had to send the two kids to summer camp — and to support other renegade lemonade stand operators if need be.
