Quebec businesses celebrate the reopening of the Ottawa-Gatineau boundary
Ontario has lifted the non-essential travel restrictions at the borders with Quebec and Manitoba, allowing residents to travel between the provinces.
In the national capital region, the reopening of the Ottawa-Gatineau crossings will likely result in a boon in business, but only for the ones that are allowed to be open.
In the village of Chelsea, patios are filling up with patrons from both sides of the border.
Tonique Restaurant owner Bridgette Vanhoutte says the majority of her revenue comes from out-of-town visitors and she’s happy to welcome everyone back.
Vanhoutte says that for nearly two months, while police checkpoints were in place at the border, many restaurant owners in the area would turn away patrons from other provinces to avoid the risk of a steep fine. With that done, she’s happy to welcome anyone back.
"A lot of people are going to be coming back here to Chelsea," says Vanhoutte. "I want to make them feel special, I want to stick to my values and no I don’t want to close again."
Salons can also welcome back Ontarians, but at Zeut Coiffure, only minutes from Ottawa, owner Pierre Enright never turned a client away.
"I’m not there to do the law. I don’t care if they’re from Ottawa, Ontario or the states," says Enright, adding that it’s not revenue that makes him excited about the border being open, it’s a stress-free visit for customers.
"Our customers come here to relax and even though they crossed the bridge with the lockdown they were always stressed to arrive and to go back … but in their head Ottawa and Gatineau is the same city."
But it’s not. They are two provinces with different rules. While salons, indoor dining and malls can open in Gatineau, less than a kilometre away in Ottawa, those establishments remain closed.
For shop owners like Tanya Hill, who runs Tapas Salon and Beauty Bar at the Carlingwood Mall, it’s a point of contention.
Hill says the province needs to take a more regional approach to COVID-19 restrictions, especially now that they have signalled that travel is safe by opening boundaries.
With Quebec so close to the capital, it’s another financial hit, as she has to wait until Ontario moves into Step Two, which will likely be in July.
"We’re 32,000 hair stylists that aren’t working, so it’s time to get open. We’re trained, we know what to do, all the protocols are in place," says Hill. "When you look at Quebec, they’ve been open now for six weeks and their numbers continue to go down and I don’t think there’s a direct correlation to the salons."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.