The Hounds of Vintage store on York street in Sackville has been fined under the province’s Emergency Measures Act for what sounds like red tape.
In a post on Instagram, owner Derrick Dixon says two armed and uniformed RCMP officers visited his store on Tuesday and gave him a ticket for not having a government-issue sign on his door and for not having a second copy of his COVID operational plan behind his counter.
The ticket is for non-compliance with the Emergency Measures Act, and comes with a fine of $292.50.
Dixon says his operational plan is posted on his door, and that his shop is safe.
Back on November 15, 2020, as new cases started to be announced in the region, Dixon posted a reminder on social media of the shop’s protocols, which at the time included a maximum of 5 people in the shop at a time, mandatory masks and sanitization, and social distancing.
Dixon posted pictures of both his compliance order and ticket on Instagram.
Constable Christophe Bertrand signed the compliance order, which lists an operational plan, signs on the door, and arrows on the floor.
Dixon says the officers will be back today to ensure he’s met what he calls a “heavy handed compliance order” and, “to either allow me to open or shut me down or fine me.”
Why on earth didn’t they just give him a warning? Not good.
Am I missing something here? Something just doesn’t add up. This particular business owner has been ahead of the curve throughout the pandemic, politely but firmly enforcing mask and household bubble policies before they were even made mandatory by the government. Now we have police ticketing him for what could most generously be described as a technicality? As in the case of the lone grocer on Campobello, there seems to be a total detachment of enforcing the letter of the law from recognizing its spirit and intention. The Town of Sackville was kind enough to present this merchant with flowers to celebrate one month of business. Will the Town now step up to provide support and advocacy to a fledgling small business at a time when it is most needed?
And am I wrong, or is this a $292.50 flat fine? So $292.50 for this small business, and $292.50 if Costco meets the same fate?
It all just seems too ludicrous.
On the plus side, at least we all have a solid reminder of where to spend our holiday dollars. Our local businesses need our support more than ever!
They should’ve just given him a warning..a fine of 292.50 with Christmas right around the corner Isn’t right..he’s just trying to make a living..that’s a shame..I’m sure he would’ve done what he was supposed to do with just a warning..
This is ridiculous!! This is the very reason i have shut down rather than deal with this crap. I feel for this business and hope he gets extra business because of it…lets visit this store heals folks!!