‘Incomprehensible behaviour’: John Tory reacts after Scarborough party leads to 14 people fined $880 each

Partygoers in Scarborough on Tuesday night demonstrated “inconsiderate” and “incomprehensible behaviour,” Mayor John Tory said Wednesday.

Toronto police said 14 people in Scarborough were each fined $880 Tuesday after officers were called for a “noisy party” in the Kingston Road and St. Clair Avenue East area.

Police said about 50 people were at the party.

“We’re past the education time, we’re past the warning time, we’re onto the enforcement time,” said Tory at a press conference. “I hope (police) will see fit to do whatever they think is appropriate in terms of enforcing the law as it exists. And it exists for good public health reason.”

Officers issued 14 provincial offence notices under the Reopening Ontario Act for failure to comply with an order.

Police said during their investigation, a man was arrested on an outstanding warrant and transported to Halton police.

Toronto police Chief James Ramer said: “We now consider it a public safety issue. We’re working very closely with the city to attend complaints, and where appropriate, charges will be laid.”

The city’s medical officer of health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, called on Toronto residents to abide by “self-protection measures,” in response to the party.

“We need to commit to engaging in the appropriate behaviours,” said de Villa. “The behaviours that will protect ourselves and protect our community and get us to a point where we are able to enjoy our city, get our city back and get beyond .”

Const. Randall Arsenault said the incident showed “blatant disregard of rules meant to protect us all.”

The fine comes after Tory said the city will be getting tougher in regards to the of by laws surrounding new gathering limits across the GTA.

Homeowners and event organizers in Ontario can be fined up to $10,000 for an event that exceeds the maximum number of people set out in the , with a $750 fine for attendees.

Matthew Pegg, chief of Toronto Fire Services, said the command centre received over 20 complaints in relation to gatherings that occurred this past weekend.

The Reopening Ontario Act extended specific emergency orders in the province. The provincial government announced Sept. 17 that there would be new gathering limits in Toronto to 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors in a bid to curb the increasing spread of COVID-19.

With files from Manuela Vega and David Rider

Libaan Osman is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Reach him via email: