The provincial government is announcing new penalties to deter price gouging across Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford announced fines of up to $500,000 for charging unfair prices on necessary goods.
Individual offenders can face fines of $750, or a maximum penalty of $100,000 and a year in jail if summoned to court and convicted.
A company, director or officer cold face fines up to $500,00 and up to a year in jail. A corporation faces fine sup to $10 million.
Necessary goods include:
- Masks and gloves used as personal protective equipment in relation to infections.
- Non-prescription medications for the treatment of the symptoms of the coronavirus.
- Disinfecting agents intended for cleaning and disinfecting objects or humans.
- Personal hygiene products, including soap products and paper products.
“As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve provincially and globally, we are seeing a shortage of necessary goods available to the public, such as hand sanitizers and household cleaners,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. “We will not tolerate those taking advantage of these difficult times to charge unfair and unreasonable prices. It is not right and our government is taking swift and decisive action to put an end to it with extremely stiff penalties.”
Offenders can be reported at 1-800-889-9768 between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Complaints can also be filed online at: https://www.ontario.ca/form/report-price-gouging-related-covid-19
