White Rock may scrap one-way 'restaurant row' in a matter of weeks if COVID-19 restrictions lift
Restaurant owners are calling the decision to shut down one lane of Marine Drive in White Rock “the most amazing lifeline,” but admit they’re worried the city could yank the incentive by July.
Initially, council voted to turn the drive into a one-way street until September, but a recent amendment may bring the plan to an end months earlier.
The closure gives eateries along the waterfront road more room to serve customers outside. As a result, restauranteurs have been shelling-out thousands of dollars to build wooden patios, as well as new tables and chairs.
“I’ve been down here 14 hour days, for the past two days, building this,” said Tyson Blume, owner of Uli’s Restaurant.
But the amendment approved by council on May 31 now states the lane closure will only last until the province once again allows full indoor dining. That decision may come by Canada Day.
“It would be a real shame. It’s also holding a lot of restauranteurs up because they don’t want to invest, just to find out that they have to take it down in three, four weeks,” said Blume.
Coun. Anthony Manning who introduced the amendment, said when council decided to shut down the lane, it believed the dining restrictions would be in place until after Labour Day.
“Then the province announced in it’s restart plan, ‘Nope, maybe we’ll be doing this after Canada Day,’” said Manning.
“In the ensuing period, we have received far more complaints from residents than thumbs up. So we are trying to find a balance between supporting our businesses and helping our residents as well.”
The closure means vehicle traffic is being rerouted onto other streets that are already crowded. First responders have also raised concerns about access along Marine.
If provincial health authorities do allow ease restaurant restrictions early, Manning confirmed council would meet first to debate ending the one-way Marine Drive experiment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.