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A Britannia man who was fined $880 on the weekend while walking his dog in Britannia Park is annoyed over what he feels is the city’s unclear messaging about what is and isn’t permitted under the province’s COVID-19-related emergency orders.

Corey Yanofsky was walking his dog through the park on Sunday morning when a city bylaw officer ticketed him for failing to comply with the Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

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The act provides prohibitions against gatherings of more than five people; restaurants offering customers dine-in options; businesses remaining open without an exemption; and gatherings in city parks, including the use of play structures and sports fields.The city indicated last week that it would begin fining people instead of simply issuing verbal warning.

At the time of his encounter with a bylaw officer, Yanofsky was walking on the stony field near the breakwater. He admits that he failed to notice the signage posted indicating that the park was closed, but that it was nonetheless his understanding that while residents couldn’t stay in parks and engage in activities, walking through them was permitted.