CORNWALL – The owner of a Cornwall bar has been charged in connection to a St. Patrick’s Day party on the same day the province ordered all bars closed under an emergency order at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Remington’s Deli and Bar at 101 Montreal Road gained notoriety on March 17 when 30-50 patrons got together for an Irish celebration despite Premier Doug Ford putting an order in place that morning for all bars to close, effective immediately, to stem the spread of coronavirus.
When asked by Cornwall Newswatch about what happened, Ford called the actions “careless and reckless.”
Now, Cornwall Police Service spokesman Stephanie MacRae says the owner has been charged with failing to comply with an order made during a declared emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act after an investigation by the force’s criminal investigations branch.
It should be noted that this is not a criminal charge but a citation under the Provincial Offences Act (POA). Under its policy, the Cornwall Police Service does not release names of people charged under the POA.
If convicted, the owner could face a fine up to $100,000 and up to a year in jail.
The premier’s office declined to comment for this story.
Montreal Road building for sale, bar for lease
The Remington’s building on Montreal Road has been put up for sale, listed at $480,000, while the bar is being offered on a $3,800 monthly lease, according to ads on Multiple Listing Service.
The building is described as an “excellent net income property” that’s “well maintained…in (the) Le Village District” with a restaurant and bar on the main level and three second-floor apartments, rented monthly to long term tenants.
For the Remington’s bar and restaurant lease option, the ad describes it as a liquor licenced “turn key space just waiting for you to start your own (business)” and the “landlord is prepared to work with tenant on the duration of the lease.”