Two Orillia property owners plead guilty to fire-related offences

Two Orillia property owners have been convicted of offences in the Ontario Court of Justice.  The owner of the property at 95 Barrie Rd. pled guilty to failing to prepare a written record of a test as required by the Ontario Fire Code. In a separate incident, the owner of the property at 409 East St. pled guilty to charges related to open air burning as required by the Orillia Municipal Code 387.

“Provincial and municipal regulations are enacted for the protection of persons and property,” said Orillia Fire Chief, Ralph Dominelli. “Failing to comply with these regulations can have very severe consequences.”

The Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice established new set fines for Ontario Fire Code violations related to maintenance records, record retention, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire door maintenance and fire extinguishers, many of which came into effect in March 2015. Orillia Fire Department personnel now have the authority to issue a summons or ticket immediately for these charges.

Open air burning is restricted in Orillia with provisions for both recreational and cooking fires. Both must be conducted in accordance with Orillia Municipal Code 387 - Open Air Burning.  The penalty upon conviction of violations is $425, inclusive of victim fine surcharge and court costs.

Penalties upon conviction of ticketable offences under Part I of the Provincial Offences Act now range from $235 to $360, including a victim surcharge and court costs. Maximum fines can be up to $50,000 and/or up to one year in prison upon conviction.

The list of set fines for provincial offences can be viewed at the Ontario Court of Justice Web site and the Open Air Burning by-law can be found on the City’s website at orillia.ca.

The City of Orillia is a city of 30,586 people in the heart of Central Ontario on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

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Ralph Dominelli
Fire Chief
Orillia Fire Department
705-325-5215
rdominelli@orillia.ca

Jennifer Ruff
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-238-9209 (cell)
jruff@orillia.ca