The Town of Oakville is bringing in an extra penalty of $300 to combat the littering of masks, disposable gloves and other personal protective equipment.

A new bylaw, which was enacted on April 9, add this penalty on top of the minimum fine of $100 for anyone caught littering in parks or public places.

“We can all agree that face masks and gloves belong in garbage cans, not littered in our town, and now anyone caught not properly disposing of (personal protective equipment) can be issued a penalty under the by-law,” said Oakville mayor Rob Burton in a news release from Thursday afternoon.

Penalties for discarding personal protective equipment vary across municipalities in Ontario. Some municipalities have taken steps to remind residents of the fines that litterbugs could face.

The City of Vaughan put out a public service announcement at the end of March, reminding residents that littering and illegal dumping carries a $205 fine.

In Mississauga, fines start at $365. Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie tweeted last Friday urging residents to put used gloves and masks in the trash and that “bylaw officers will be keeping their eyes peeled.”

During his daily media briefing on April 7, Toronto mayor John Tory reminded residents that the fine for littering personal protective equipment is $500, calling it “bone-headed conduct.”

“This kind of behaviour is not only frustrating; it is risky behaviour to the health of others,” said Tory.

TY Tom Yun is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @thetomyun

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