National

Ont. pair charged with failing to quarantine

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Oct, 2020 10:32 PM

Two people have been charged for failing to comply with federal quarantine rules after the pair showed up at a rally shortly after returning to Canada, Toronto police said Tuesday. The two accused are the first people to be charged criminally in Toronto under the federal Quarantine Act, police spokesman Const. David Hopkinson said.

"We started in the pandemic by educating the public. Now we have switched to enforcement," Hopkinson said.

"Charges with regards to this are rare. We've had very, very good compliance by our community."

Investigators said Christopher (Chris Sky) Saccoccia, 37, and Jennifer Saccoccia, 34, of King City, Ont., landed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Sept. 20 after travelling abroad.

Police allege that despite being ordered to quarantine for 14 days, Christopher Saccoccia was seen in the Yonge-Dundas area of downtown Toronto on Sept. 26 and was issued a provincial offence ticket.

Authorities also allege both Christopher Saccoccia and Jennifer Saccoccia went to a rally attended by roughly 500 unmasked participants at Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday.

Both were served Monday with a notice to appear for a virtual court hearing on Nov. 12, police said.

Public health rules require everyone coming from outside the country to quarantine for at least 14 days.

Saturday's rally saw demonstrators protest against public health measures meant to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Raymond said killings 'not my fault': witness

On Sept. 15 when the trial opened, lawyers for Raymond acknowledged their client shot and killed the four people but said he is not criminally responsible because of a mental disorder.

Raymond said killings 'not my fault': witness

Supreme Court reserves judgment on carbon tax

After two days of hearings and presentations from more than two dozen interested parties, the court adjourned without yet deciding whether the carbon price is constitutional.

Supreme Court reserves judgment on carbon tax

Liberals unveil sweeping plans for now, future

The Liberals framed their approach Wednesday as giving Canadians a choice, in an echo of their 2019 election campaign strategy.

Liberals unveil sweeping plans for now, future

Parties agree on hybrid Commons sittings

The plan also includes reconstituting committees such as a special body examining Canada-China relations.

Parties agree on hybrid Commons sittings

Overdose deaths drop in August from July in B.C.

Data from the coroners service show overdose deaths began increasing in B.C. just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, when 113 people died, up from 73 in February.

Overdose deaths drop in August from July in B.C.

Five highlights from the throne speech

Aiming to make Canada a world leader in clean technology, the Liberals promise a new fund to attract investments in making zero-emissions products. The government will also cut the corporate tax rate in half for these companies.