Some very steep fines and penalties will be laid against companies in Ontario convicted of price gouging.
The government is going hard after corporations convicted of raising prices by fining them up to $10-million. For company directors or officers, the fine is up to $500,000, and up to a year in jail. Individual offenders can face a ticket of $750 or a maximum fine $1,000 if the case comes with a conviction in court.
Premier Doug Ford says some retailers and individuals are selling face masks, cold medicine, disinfecting wipes, protective gloves and hand sanitizers at ridiculous rates.
“When you’re hiking the price five times, ten times what it should be, you’re done, you’re gone, because we’re coming after you. We have drastically increased the penalties you will face for this disgusting activity and we will shut you down.” said the premier.
This follows a social media posting last week showing a Toronto store charging $30 for a bottle of hand sanitizer.
The provincial government is also asking if you find price gouging, call 1-800-889-9768 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, or by filing a report online.
