The operators of a Port Dalhousie restaurant have been fined $5,000 by the Ontario Court of Justice for overcrowding in their barroom.
The owners of the Kilt and Clover restaurant pleaded guilty on Friday for exceeding the occupant load for the number of persons occupying a room or floor space in an assembly.
The court imposed a $5,000 fine plus court costs and victim fine surcharges.
The overcrowding condition was identified as a result of a multi-agency inspection consisting of St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Management Services, Niagara Regional Police Service and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission.
Acting Fire Chief Jeff McCormick said it is dangerous for restaurants, bars and nightclubs to have more people than they can accommodate.
“The Ontario Fire Code outlines occupancy limits to help businesses protect their patrons,” said McCormick. “Having more people than the floor space can accommodate can make evacuations during emergencies more challenging and that’s when seconds count."