Should cities release the names of rule-breaking businesses? Doug Ford won’t say

The premier dodged a question about whether cities should name bad actors as Hamilton continues to withhold the name a Stoney Creek restaurant fined for flouting COVID rules.

This comes as the city says it will release names on a go-forward basis starting Monday.

Earlier this week, city officials openly criticized a Stoney Creek restaurant fined $3,000 under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) for allowing patrons to sing, dance, and ignore physical-distancing and mask-wearing rules. But they wouldn't name the business, saying they wouldn't do so unless they needed to inform the community of a higher-risk situation."

The matter raised questions about consistency across the province when it comes to transparency relating to disclosure of rule-breaking businesses.

The City of Burlington, for example, said it would not name businesses charged under the ROA as it is not public information and could be an invasion of privacy." Ottawa, however, said it does release such information on request.

While in Hamilton for an announcement Thursday, Premier Doug Ford was asked if he thinks scofflaw businesses should be named and why there is no consistent policy when it comes to such disclosures across the province.

He chided the Stoney Creek restaurant and said he was disappointed" it didn't follow the rules. But he didn't answer the questions.

Guys, this is too simple," Ford said, speaking to restaurant owners. This is what puts a broad brush across all these other restaurants that are following the protocol, doing a great job - because of one bad actor? Guys, get it together."

He said everyone needs to follow protocols and be responsible." He then referred to a wedding where someone was sick and COVID spread rapidly.

Hamilton, meanwhile, did an about-face Wednesday when council passed a motion to make names public on a go-forwad basis. The move likely makes it one of the most transparent cities in the province when it comes to such disclosures. But it still isn't clear if the Stoney Creek restaurant will be named.

It seems Burlington is unlikely to follow in Hamilton's footsteps.

Asked Thursday if the city plans to release names of businesses charged in light of Hamilton's move, the city said: No. At this time, Burlington has no plans to change their policy on releasing names."

Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com