Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
No ‘army of face mask enforcers’ waiting to hand out fines: Sutcliffe:
There is no “army of face mask enforcers” waiting in the shadows to fine businesses not complying with new directives to have in place a policy to encourage patrons to wear a mask or face covering while shopping, said the area’s medical officer of health this week. This week as it became mandatory for businesses to have such policies, there is still some confusion circulating about enforcement and fines for non-compliance with directives from Public Health Sudbury and Districts. Yes, the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, which is currently in effect until July 22 — and possibly beyond, should Premier Doug Ford extend it again — gives bylaw enforcement, police officers and public health inspectors the power to fine businesses for not putting in place a policy to ensure patrons are wearing masks or face coverings. In general, if someone commits an offence under the Act, which includes someone not being compliant with an order, it could carry a fine. It was a similar situation when the province banned gatherings of more than five people. But, said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, medical officer of health, it is not the intention to start issuing fines for businesses that don’t have a policy in place. More on this story here.
By the numbers: Survey shows most Sudburians washing hands more, minority wore masks:
An online survey carried out by Public Health Sudbury and Districts showed that the majority of participants followed the many precautions that were prescribed for reducing risk from the COVID-19 virus. The survey which was done over a 12-day period from April 29 to May 10, had more than 1,400 responses, mostly from Greater Sudbury. Responses were broken down into those who lived in Sudbury (91 per cent) versus those who lived in the wider district served by the health unit. Among other things, it showed that 91 per cent of respondents washed their hands more often and more regularly to reduce risk of COVID-19 exposure. Survey takers also revealed they avoided leaving home for the same reason (87 per cent); they practised social distancing (86 per cent), and; eliminated visits with friends and non-immediate family members (85 per cent). The survey also showed most respondents tried to stop touching their faces (79 per cent), most connected with friends and family by going online (76 per cent) and most shopped alone without family members or friends (75 per cent). Full story can be found here.
Police have seen an increase in collisions involving wildlife of late:
Greater Sudbury Police are reporting a spike in collisions involving motor vehicles and wildlife on area roads. During the month of June alone, the GSPS received nine reports of collisions with wildlife. "Collisions involving wildlife can cause serious vehicle damage, personal injury, or death," said GSPS in a tweet. According to Workplace Safety North statistics from 2017, there is a motor-vehicle collision involving a wild animal every 38 minutes, and one out of every 17 motor vehicle collisions involves a wild animal. Find tips on how you can avoid collisions involving wildlife here.
Police looking for missing teen last seen at midnight in Sudbury:
Greater Sudbury Police Service is asking for help in locating a missing teenager. Brianna Dickson, 15, was last seen at midnight on July 9 in the area of Paris Street and Walford Road wearing a black t-shirt, grey shorts, white shoes and a black or blue/black backpack. She is described as 5-3, 135 pounds, with long brown hair and blue eyes. She is believed to be in Toronto. Police ask that anyone with information on her whereabouts to call GSPS at 705-675-9171.
Sudbury’s unemployment rate edges upwards to 9.4%:
While Canada’s employment rate has started to rebound, Greater Sudbury’s unemployment rate increased last month, according to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for that month. Greater Sudbury’s unemployment rate hit 9.4 per cent for the month June, up from 8.4 per cent from May. The survey shows Greater Sudbury lost 1,400 jobs in June, with 74,600 people employed. That’s down from 76,000 in May. There were 7,700 people unemployed in June, an increase over the 7,000 the month before. However, Statistics Canada says the country’s economy added nearly one million jobs in June as businesses forced closed by the pandemic began to reopen. The agency says 953,000 jobs were added last month, including 488,000 full-time and 465,000 part-time positions, and the the unemployment rate fell to 12.3 per cent in June after hitting a record-high of 13.7 per cent in May. From February to April, 5.5 million Canadian workers were affected by the COVID-19 economic shutdown. This included a drop in employment of 3 million and a COVID-related increase in absences from work of 2.5 million. By the week of June 14 to June 20, the number of workers affected by the COVID-19 economic shutdown was 3.1 million, a reduction since April of 43 per cent.
Crime Stoppers offers reward for information on whereabouts of Tyler Boimistruck:
The Ontario Provincial Police has an outstanding warrant for the arrest of Tyler Boimistruck. Boimistruck is 21 years old. He is 5-foot-11 and weighs 140 lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes. It is alleged that sometime between 6:25 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on June 23, Boimistruck, along with another accused, attended in the area north of Capreol and broke into a camp. In order to access the property, they rammed the gate with the Jeep they were operating. Boimistruck and his co-accused broke into various buildings on the private property and stole many items including a generator, various power tools, fishing gear and boat motors. The value of the stolen property is estimated at $10,000. The whereabouts of Boimistruck is unknown at this time. He is wanted for break, enter a place and committing an indictable offence, as well as disguise with intent. If you know where Boimistruck is, you are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or locally at 705-222-8477. You must call this number to be eligible for a cash reward.
