Restaurants call for clarity from province on reopening guidelines
Restaurants in Sault Ste. Marie and the province say they want more clarity and communication from the Ford government when it comes to resuming indoor dining.
That's according to the organization that represents Canadian restaurant owners, Restaurant Canada, which said Wednesday the province needs to be more careful with how it implements reopening guidelines.
"Very little notice and almost no consultation, that's been our issue right from the start of the pandemic," said James Rillet of Restaurants Canada. "It's especially harmful when they give us no notice for closures."
Premier Doug Ford hinted at an announcement this week that would see the easing up of some restrictions in Ontario. On Wednesday, it was announced indoor dining will resume at the end of the month.
Rillet said consultation with restaurants is needed to reopen in a way that doesn't cause further harm to business owners.
"We need some of that information so that restaurants can prepare their restaurants, so that they can order food, so they can get staff ready," he said.
The owner of Q Cafe in downtown Sault Ste. Marie said her customer base is dwindling because of current restrictions. Susan Willems Van Dyjk said she has loyal customers that will stop by to help, but her base now predominantly works from home, meaning there's less reason for them to grab a bite at her cafe.
"We definitely need more time to prepare, which isn't something we've always gotten over the last two years," she said.
"You know, one day things are good and you're rolling along and then it's 50 per cent and then we're going to close everything and we'll give you this date. I know there's no crystal ball but we need some advance notice."
Restaurants Canada said it's also advocating for the deferral of HST payments, increased funding through Ontario's COVID-19 relief grant programming and a re-imposition of Ontario's moratorium on commercial tenant evictions, which expired last month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.