'Not a level playing field': Ottawa restaurant owners frustrated with restrictions as arenas welcome 100 per cent capacity
Restaurant owners in Ottawa continue to voice their opposition at the Ontario government’s move to allow stadiums to operate at full capacity while their businesses continue to suffer with seating restrictions.
The lunchtime rush at Reynold’s Restaurant is underway, indoor seating is full, or as full as it can get, considering every second table must remain empty, in order to comply with Ontario’s COVID-19 regulations. Owners say those restrictions make it difficult to pay the bills.
"We’re just trying to make a living like everybody else and it’s by far right now the toughest industry to be in and they’re not making it very easy on us," says owner Gregory Aboukheir. "We have the harshest restrictions on restaurants and I just find that it’s not a level playing field."
Aboukheir’s point, on Thursday, the Canadian Tire Centre was packed with fans, cheering on the Ottawa Senators as they faced the Toronto Maple Leafs in the home opener. Last week the province opened arenas for maximum capacity, saying the decision was backed by medical advice. Aboukheir doesn’t buy it.
“What are they trying to say COVID doesn’t enter the arena but only enters restaurants.”
At a press conference on Friday, Premier Doug Ford said that next week changes will come for restaurants as well as other businesses with reduced capacity limits, like gyms, but would not elaborate on whether restrictions will be loosened.
"We’re going to roll out a comprehensive plan, one that will withstand the test of time," said Ford. "I’m not going to rush it because anything you do in this pandemic it can come back and backfire on you."
Sarah Chown, Ottawa chair for the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association says it was disappointing that the premier did not announce that indoor seating caps would be lifted.
"People aren’t sitting on top of each other in restaurants, you know in sports arenas they’re literally elbow to elbow," says Chow. "The weather is starting to shift peoples patios are going to be closing we really need to get that capacity up to 100 percent indoors."
For Aboukheir, he’s done holing out hope that change will happen soon.
"They always give you that false hope they put the reel out and then as you get closer they reel it back in I’m not going to say anything until it actually happens and it’s a little more consistent," he says. "Let us live our lives, let us operate our business, with all do respect you know get off our back and leave us alone."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.