Supporting Restaurant and Bar Owners
New emergency orders will help establishments expand patios faster
As Ontario recovers from the economic impacts of COVID-19, our PC government recognizes that the success of our province’s restaurant industry will be an important driver.
Businesses across the province have demonstrated that we can still enjoy our beautiful Ontario summer while protecting the health and safety of their patrons. That’s why we’re temporarily exempting some requirements in the Planning Act so that municipalities can quickly pass temporary by-laws allowing restaurants and bars to create or extend their patios.
“Businesses across the province are demonstrating that we can still enjoy our beautiful Ontario summer while protecting the health and safety of their patrons,” said Doug Ford, MPP for Etobicoke North and Premier of Ontario. “Restaurants and bars are an important part of our economy, and a great driver of employment. I am proud to say that we will continue to support them as our province reopens and recovers.”
Under current requirements, this process could take several weeks or more. This emergency order will cut red tape and reduce the time to a matter of days, which will help these businesses keep their patrons safe while they dine outdoors during patio season. Our PC government also amended an emergency order to clarify that outdoor dining areas can open if they have a roof, canopy, tent, awning, or other covering.
Municipalities are still responsible for compliance activities and ensuring proper health and safety practices.