Vancouver's temporary pandemic patios to become annual summer fixture
The temporary patios that helped many Vancouver bars and restaurants survive the pandemic are becoming an annual summer fixture – though not every patio will be allowed to return next year.
Under a new program approved by city council this week, eligible establishments will be able to open seasonal patio space on either public or private property between April 1 and Oct. 31.
Mayor Kennedy Stewart said the temporary patio program created in response to the COVID-19 crisis launched a "new and vibrant patio culture" in Vancouver that the city is intent on maintaining.
"We're building on that success with a new annual summer patio program and ensuring residents and visitors can look forward to this new summer tradition for years to come,” Stewart said in a news release.
The city permitted nearly 700 temporary patios during the pandemic, but those permits are set to expire at the end of October.
When the seasonal program launches, there will be an application website to guide bars and restaurants through the process, with staff approving patios on a case-by-case basis.
In a news release, the City of Vancouver said it "may no longer be able to support some of the existing temporary patios," such as those attached to limited food establishments that don't have public restrooms.
It also said patios on "some arterial streets may not be viable as traffic volumes resume."
More details on the program, including the requirements bars and restaurants will have to meet in order to be eligible for seasonal patios, are expected to be shared in the coming weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.