Ottawa bylaw officers rung up more than 40 people over the weekend for not adhering to the physical distancing laws, but the Canadian Civil Liberties Association is accusing the city of “overpolicing.”

There were 43 tickets issued, including two tickets totalling $2,010 issued to someone who was in a closed park and wouldn’t give his name to authorities, Mayor Jim Watson said during a press conference Monday.

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Bylaw officers also booked a pub and a barbershop for being open when they should have been closed under a provincial government emergency order, Watson said.

Another woman tore down caution tape around playground structures so others could use them, he said.

Some residents have been miffed about receiving tickets for being in closed parks. The paths remain open for people to cut through parks, but the surrounding park space is closed.

Watson said bylaw officers have discretion about whether to issue a ticket or simply give a warning.

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“They’re trained to be reasonable,” Watson said, but he has seen that warnings haven’t been preventing people from gathering in closed parks.

Anthony Di Monte, the general manager of emergency and protective services, said there were 526 calls to bylaw services between Friday and Sunday related to the coronavirus-related emergency measures. Those were just the complaints that officers could respond to, he said.

“I think the bylaw team is doing a very reasonable job,” Di Monte said.

In a letter to Watson and Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly , Canadian Civil Liberties Association executive director Michael Bryant accused the city of padding its revenues using a ticket blitz.

Bryant pointed out that alleged violators can’t even appeal the tickets because the Provincial Offences Court isn’t open.

Di Monte said there’s a 1-800 number people can call regarding appeals and the city is working with the courts to understand how followups are being done.

Watson was unapologetic about the penalties. “This is a public health issue,” he said.

A provincial emergency order bans social gatherings of more than five people in public areas.

Health authorities recommend people stay two metres away from each other to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The city hasn’t closed roads to make room for pedestrians and cyclists who are trying to stay safely away from each other.

Watson said the city could consider a “bump out” onto the street in front of legally open businesses where there’s bunching at the entrances. He said the city would also consider allowing better pedestrian access on the Bank Street bridge between the Glebe and Old Ottawa South.

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Try travelling on the less-busy streets if you want to maintain a safe distance while getting some fresh air, Watson advised people.

The National Capital Commission has declined requests to kick cars off the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, Queen Elizabeth Driveway and off Colonel By Drive to make more room for pedestrians and cyclists trying to keep two metres apart from each other.

Di Monte said bylaw officers work with the NCC on enforcement matters.

As of the time of Monday’s news conference, there had been no tickets issued on NCC land related to the physical distancing rules.

City temporary lays off thousands of part-time workers

More than 4,000 part-time city workers are being laid off during the coronavirus pandemic as the city tries to find savings while losing millions in revenue.

There are about 4,000 employees from the recreational, cultural and facilities services department and another 280 Ottawa Public Library employees who will be laid off because there just isn’t enough work with municipal facilities and programs closed.

The city said it negotiated a deal with its largest union, CUPE Local 503.

The laid-off employees won’t be paid but they will retain their seniority and be able to buy back into the pension program when they return to work. They will still be able to access employee assistance programs while laid off, Watson said.

The city is counting on those laid-off employees to be eligible for federal financial support.

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“We must find solutions to protect our taxpayers and continue to provide the vital services the public expects,” Watson said.

The temporary layoffs will save the city $2.7 million per month, city manager Steve Kanellakos said.

The summer student program, for now, is being delayed until May and will be reviewed regularly, Kanellakos said.

The city is trying to find savings and prop up the budget as best it can.

The coronavirus-related restrictions are costing the city $1 million each day in lost revenue, officials said.

The city has enough money in the reserves and projected revenues to get through to the end of the year, but there will be a “significant deficit” at the end of 2020, Kanellakos said.

Kanellakos said staff will present some other ideas to save money at Wednesday’s scheduled council meeting, but he wouldn’t get the ideas during the press conference.

Canada Day parties up in the air as city cancels rental permits

The city confirmed the inevitable Monday: all event and meeting permits have been cancelled and none will be issued through at least June 30.

All city facilities will remain closed until then, too.

Watson broke the news to local festivals and the tourism industry leaders before the press conference.

Canada Day parties, including the big one organized by the federal government, could be off.

Watson recommended communities planning Canada Day events hold off on spending money.