The new system on inspections of Windsor-Essex businesses is officially live and ready for use.
BlackburnNewsWindsor.com was first to report last month on the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit putting together a new inspection disclosure page on its official website, by changes mandated by the province. This online disclosure system is replacing the star system that has become commonplace across Ontario for the past few years.
The page was unveiled during a media conference at the health unit Thursday morning. Theresa Marentette, CEO of the health unit, said the public will have more information at their disposal when it comes to checking places of business.
"The disclosure system provides greater transparency of inspection and enforcement activities by the health unit in order to promote the health and protection of our clients in the community," said Marentette.
Phil Wong, the health unit's director of environmental health, said the new system not only provides detailed inspection reports of restaurants and food service establishments across Windsor-Essex but also a variety of businesses. A new sign, pictured below, will replace the familiar star system.
"This is actually going to be posted at all the restaurants, all the barber shops, tanning salons, personal service settings, recreational camps as well as pools and spas," said Wong, adding that there will be reports on roughly 5,000 of these businesses online.
The new disclosure system is in response to the PC-majority provincial government's mandate last year for health units across Ontario to publicly disclose reports in compliance with provincial health standards. The WECHU said other health units across Ontario have already begun a similar system.
Residents can also use the website to register complaints about the conditions of businesses, by calling the health unit directly on weekdays, or filing an online report which would be responded to within 24 hours, said Wong.
The complete inspection page is now available at the health unit website.
The new inspection signs that will be displayed at area businesses are posted at the Windsor Essex County Health Unit, February 7, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
