Provincial police say they can’t lay charges in relation to Randy Hillier Christmas gathering photo

By Chris Kurys

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will not be laying charges in relation to a Christmas gathering, by MPP Randy Hillier, which contravened public health rules.

The Independent MPP from Lanark-Kingston-Frontenac posted a photo on social media, December 27, which showed a large, private gathering where guests were not socially distancing or wearing masks.

The photo was posted the day after Ontario went into a provide-wide lockdown.

Bill Dickson, spokesperson for the OPP East Region, tells CityNews the matter is a health issue.

The statement adds that OPP “cannot lay a charge based solely on a photo posted on social media after the fact.”

Provincial police and health officials work in tandem on issues like this one. 

“If people call to make a complaint about gatherings, we will respond and investigate accordingly. Officers have discretion to issue warnings or to issue tickets/charges.”

CityNews has reached out to the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit for comment, and have not received a response at time of publication.

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