A 2 a.m. last call on Ottawa patios could soon be permanent
If you're hoping to party on Ottawa patios until 2 a.m. this summer, you're in luck.
Councillors will vote on making a 2 a.m. last call on patios a permanent rule. It was brought in as a temporary measure to help bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"To provide consistency, staff are recommending that all Right of Way (ROW) patio permits issued be subject to a closure of 2 AM," a city staff report to transportation committee says.
Prior to the pandemic, patio hours had varied across the city. About 40 per cent closed at 11 p.m. and another five per cent closed at either midnight or 1 a.m.
'Right of way patios' are those that are set up on city property, such as sidewalks.
For the last three years, the city has introduced a so-called "patio innovation program" that included a number of measures to support patio operators facing economic hardship because of the pandemic.
That included permission to stay open until 2 a.m.
The city staff report says the program helped create a "consistent and equitable approach" by allowing bar and restaurant owners to align their patio operations with their business hours.
"Staff continue to note that the consistent closure time has provided clarity for patio operators and enforcement staff and has been successful due to the associated stepped enforcement strategy," the report says.
Staff acknowledge there is a risk of increased noise after 11 p.m. as a result of this change, a concern some councillors raised when the temporary change was made.
But they note that all patios will still be subject to the city's noise by-law and a proposed patio by-law that will see conditions imposed on their patio permits for rule-breaking.
Those could include earlier closing times or having their patio permits rescinded.
The city is reinstituting patio fees this year after waiving them during the pandemic. Restaurants and bars will pay for the space at 50 per cent of the pre-pandemic rate, with the city eyeing a return to full fees in 2024.
The city's transportation committee will discuss the matter at its meeting on March 23.
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.