Ottawa couple fined $4,500 for refusing to wear masks at Quebec coffee shop

OTTAWA -

An Ottawa couple who refused to wear masks at a Chelsea, Que. coffee shop are facing stiff fines.

An employee at Biscotti & Cie called police on Monday around 1:30 p.m. because the couple in their 50s was “causing a disturbance,” MRC des Collines police said.

The couple were refusing to wear masks despite employees asking them to wear them.

Isaac Lauzon, the director of operations for the Chelsea Pub and part of the management team at Biscotti & Cie and says the couple turned down masks offered by staff and would not leave when asked.

“The lady was filming,” Lauzon said. “He started to be aggressive, he started to scare employees and our clients … so at that point our manager called the police.”

Police said the couple continued to argue with staff and fellow customers.

"At one point, the manager said, 'We're not going to serve you, and it's too bad. You don't want to wear a mask, so we will ask you to leave immediately.' They didn't comply with the order right away," said Sgt. Martin Fournel of MRC des Collines police.

After some more arguing, the couple did leave the restaurant a few minutes later. They were then stopped by a police officer on Old Chelsea Road and issued tickets for a total of $4,500.

Lauzon commends the police for their quick response and restaurant staff for taking the appropriate steps.

“People just want to be in Old Chelsea and have a good time, have a good coffee, have a good beer,” he said. “It’s not fun on our part, either. We’re just trying to respect the rules for us to be open and for people to come and enjoy. If you have to have a mask on to have a good time, then so be it.”