‘50 per cent is better than 0 per cent’: Ottawa businesses relieved to see COVID-19 restrictions lifted
Many local businesses are relieved that reopening plans are around the corner, but some were hoping this would happen faster.
This is just step one of three stages in Ontario's plans to ease the COVID-19 restrictions, spread out over several weeks.
"Every day that you don’t have someone sitting in the seats, it’s lost revenue," said Johny Bonney, the King Eddy’s general manager.
The restaurant staff are cautiously optimistic about being allowed to reopen at 50 per cent capacity starting Jan. 31.
"At this point we are going to take what we can get," he said. "50 per cent is better than 0 per cent.”
Gyms can also reopen on Jan. 31 with the same capacity restrictions.
Meanwhile sports venues and concerts can host 500 people or 50 per cent capacity, depending on which is less.
“I think it’s a good start, but I think now that we have the vaccine it’s time to get over it and fill up the arenas,” said Thomas Vanier, a sports fan.
Businesses hoping to catch up after the lockdown period.
For gyms, January is their peak season.
"We have lost about a half month's worth of revenue due to the lockdown," said Ashley Mathieu, owner of Anytime Fitness on Kent Street.
"Only 27 per cent are at normal revenues for this time of year,” said Julie Kwiecinski of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. "COVID-19 debt is still over $100,000 and an alarming 18 per cent of Ontario small businesses are actively considering bankruptcy,” she added.
Those who survive, hoping to get closer to normal.
"Members are already super pumped to come back on the 31st," said Mathieu.
Ottawa Top Stories
-
-
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Royal Military College holding memorial to remember four cadets killed in Kingston, Ont.
-
-
-
-
-
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
COVID-19 may be linked to cases of severe hepatitis in children
A chain of events possibly triggered by unrecognized infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus could be causing the mysterious cases of severe hepatitis reported in hundreds of young children around the world, researchers suggest.
Poilievre faces backlash for comments on Jordan Peterson podcast
Some are calling attention to a comment about 'Anglo-Saxon words' that Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre made while appearing as a guest on controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson’s podcast. The term has been used by those on the far-right to differentiate white people from immigrants and people of colour.
Health officials to provide update on suspected cases of monkeypox in Montreal
Montreal Public Health is slated to give an update about several suspected cases of monkeypox in the city.
Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
Prince Charles and Camilla wrap up Canada visit in Northwest Territories
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are spending the final day of the royal visit in Canada's North.
Record numbers of people displaced in their own countries in a 'world falling apart'
In a world beset by conflicts and natural disasters, the number of people who fled their homes and sought shelter within their own countries hit a record high of close to 60 million by the end of last year, according to new data.
Desperate U.S. families turn to hospitals when their hunt for formula comes up dry
The baby formula shortage in the United States has meant major stress, inconvenience, and expense for millions of families, but for some children, the hunt for formula has led to the hospital when their families can't consistently find the kind they need.
What options do sellers have now that the housing market is cooling down?
In what is increasingly becoming a buyer's market, some soon-to-be sellers may be wondering whether to delay listing their homes until conditions become more favourable. Here's a look at one realtor's advice on the best time to sell.
NEW THIS MORNING | Royal Military College holding memorial to remember four cadets killed in Kingston, Ont.
A memorial service will be held at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. this evening to remember the four cadets who were killed when their vehicle went into the water last month.
Atlantic
-
NEW
NEW | Masks no longer required in Nova Scotia public schools next week
Starting next week, students and staff will no longer be required to wear masks in Nova Scotia public schools.
-
Chantel Moore shot by N.B. police officer in chest, abdomen and leg, inquest hears
Chantel Moore, a 26-year-old Indigenous woman killed by police in New Brunswick in June 2020, was shot twice in the chest, once in the abdomen and once in her left leg, the pathologist who conducted an autopsy on her said Wednesday.
-
Former RCMP staff sergeant describes spotty radio, lack of resources in N.S. shooting
A Mountie who led much of the response to the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting testified Wednesday that spotty radio service and the lack of an RCMP helicopter were among the equipment problems that hampered the manhunt.
Toronto
-
Ontario COVID-19 hospitalizations drop to 1,207, 23 deaths reported
Ontario health officials are reporting 1,207 patients in hospital with COVID-19, along with 168 patients in intensive care units (ICU).
-
Two of four Ontario party leaders test positive for COVID-19
As the Ontario election date approaches, two of four of the province’s main political party leaders have tested positive for COVID-19.
-
Ontario gas prices about to take massive drop. Here's the best time to fill up
Drivers are set to get some major relief at the pumps ahead of the long weekend with gas prices expected to take a huge drop in Ontario.
Montreal
-
Health officials to provide update on suspected cases of monkeypox in Montreal
Montreal Public Health is slated to give an update about several suspected cases of monkeypox in the city.
-
5 reasons Quebec's language law reform is stirring controversy
The government says Bill 96 is a moderate reform that will improve protection for French while preserving English services.
-
Quebec pledges $1 million to support gun violence prevention research
The Quebec government is pledging $1 million to establish a research chair on gun violence prevention in Montreal.
Northern Ontario
-
Province offering $50K reward in northern Ontario cold case
There is a renewed appeal in the investigation involving a northern Ontario teen murdered in her home more than three decades ago.
-
Ontario gas prices about to take massive drop. Here's the best time to fill up
Drivers are set to get some major relief at the pumps ahead of the long weekend with gas prices expected to take a huge drop in Ontario.
-
Highway 11 near South River closed again after another crash
Highway 11 is closed to northbound traffic in the South River area Thursday morning after another crash, the second this week.
London
-
Ontario gas prices about to take massive drop. Here's the best time to fill up
Drivers are set to get some major relief at the pumps ahead of the long weekend with gas prices expected to take a huge drop in Ontario.
-
More hate-related property damage in London, Ont.
Just one day after hate symbols were spray painted on a north London, Ont. playground, police are investigating more graffiti-style property damage.
-
Animals believe to have perished in Hanover, Ont. fire
Everyone is believed to have escaped a fire in Hanover, Ont. Thursday morning, according to Hanover police.
Winnipeg
-
'Kindness and innocence': Parents remember daughter killed in crash with alleged drunk driver
The parents of a 24-year-old woman killed in a crash involving an alleged drunk driver earlier this month are remembering their daughter for her kindness and willingness to help others.
-
Assistance needed to identify Winnipeg woman hit and killed by vehicle
The Winnipeg Police Service is asking for the public’s help to identify a woman who was hit and killed by a vehicle late Tuesday night.
-
Manitoba civil service union fought wage freeze, wins retroactive pay hikes
Some 11,000 Manitoba civil servants have won retroactive pay raises after fighting government demands for a wage freeze.
Kitchener
-
'Somebody out there is missing this child': Remains of young girl found in water in Dunnville, Ont.
Provincial police announced Wednesday the human remains found in the water in Dunnville, Ont., the day before are that of a young girl.
-
Assault charges withdrawn against Kitchener teacher accused of taping students
The woman was charged with two counts of assault in November after an investigation into “allegations she taped two children with masking tape while in the classroom,” Waterloo regional police said at the time.
-
All aboard! Retiree buys 'cheapest home in the GTA' -- a caboose
No bedroom, no bathroom, no kitchen. Why one retiree decided to buy -- and live -- in a caboose.
Calgary
-
Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
-
Battle of Alberta starts with a bang as Flames down Oilers 9-6 to open playoff series
Matthew Tkachuk scored a hat trick for the Calgary Flames in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Edmonton Oilers to open their NHL playoff series.
-
Possible contenders for UCP leader waste little time after Kenney resignation
Even as the smoke cleared from the shocking resignation of Jason Kenney Wednesday evening, several of his challengers were sending out Zoom invites amid hints of leadership campaigns to replace him.
Saskatoon
-
Brother of alleged Sask. group home sexual assault victim worries his days were 'filled with dread'
A man whose brother lived in a group home in Hepburn, Sask. and was allegedly abused by a worker is speaking out.
-
An Epic Alliance investor thought they owned a home with a tenant — it had actually burned down
Following the collapse of Epic Alliance, one investor learned they were the landlord of a property that no longer existed.
-
Statue of Indigenous hockey icon Fred Sasakamoose unveiled in Saskatoon
A statue of Indigenous hockey trailblazer Fred Sasakamoose was unveiled outside SaskTel Centre on Wednesday.
Edmonton
-
Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
-
Possible contenders for UCP leader waste little time after Kenney resignation
Even as the smoke cleared from the shocking resignation of Jason Kenney Wednesday evening, several of his challengers were sending out Zoom invites amid hints of leadership campaigns to replace him.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Josh Classen's forecast: Cloudy, cool and a few showers
Warmer and sunnier weather will arrive just in time for the long weekend.
Vancouver
-
B.C. spending scandal: Judge to issue decision in case against former legislature clerk
The former clerk of the British Columbia legislature is expected to hear a judge's ruling today following a Vancouver trial that ended in March.
-
Wildfire investigation: Police ask for dash-cam video to determine cause of blaze near Highway 1
B.C. Mounties are investigating the cause of a wildfire that broke out near Highway 1 west of Ashcroft earlier this week.
-
Vehicle upside down in Fraser River after driver goes through concrete barriers
A vehicle ended up in the Fraser River Wednesday afternoon after the driver went through some concrete barriers.
Regina
-
Masters and Trudeau discuss funding for infrastructure during recent Ottawa visit
Existing and future funding for infrastructure projects from the federal government was one of the main topics that Mayor Sandra Masters discussed with Justin Trudeau during her recent trip to Ottawa.
-
MLA removed from Sask. legislature during heated session
Nadine Wilson, the Independent MLA of Saskatchewan Rivers, was removed from the Saskatchewan legislature after refusing to apologize for comments made towards the government, following Wednesday’s fierce Question Period session.
-
Riders preseason game to be moved following tentative CFL deal: TSN
According to TSN Football Insider Dave Naylor, a preseason game scheduled for May 23 between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be moved.