Ontario: Doug Ford refuses to demote caucus member photographed maskless

Sam Oosterhoff was part of large group gathered in banquet hall without masks or practicing social distancing

Ontario's premier, Doug Ford, has come under fire for refusing to demote a scofflaw member of his caucus who was photographed without a mask at a large indoor gathering - even as the regional government pleads with residents to follow public health rules during the pandemic.

Sam Oosterhoff, a parliamentary assistant to the province's education minister, posted pictures online this weekend of a large group gathered in a banquet hall. None of the nearly 40 attendees were seen wearing masks or practicing physical distancing.