Barrie mayor urges Ford to lift restaurant capacity limits
Barrie's mayor urges Premier Doug Ford to allow restaurants to increase capacity in a letter issued Wednesday.
"I am writing today on behalf of the more than 400 restaurants in Barrie," Jeff Lehman wrote. "This is a critical sector of our economy, employing more than 7,000 people."
Lehman said several restaurant owners and managers were dealing with additional public health requirements, adding to an already struggling sector.
The mayor remarked on the province's controversial move to exclude restaurants and bars from venues allowed to operate at full capacity.
"Surely, if an indoor facility, such as a concert or banquet hall, can hold tens of thousands of individuals packed close together, restaurants with diners at separate tables cannot represent a greater threat," Lehman stated.
The mayor concluded his letter to the premier by noting that with patio season coming to an end, "time is of the essence."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP has been using spyware tools for years and in more cases than previously reported, MPs told
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and senior RCMP officers are defending the national police force's years-long and previously undisclosed use of spyware—capable of remotely accessing cell phone and computer microphones, cameras and other data—as part of dozens of major investigations.

Trump says FBI is searching his Mar-a-Lago estate; circumstances unclear
Former U.S. President Donald Trump says in a lengthy statement that the FBI is conducting a search of his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Actor, singer Olivia Newton-John dies at age 73
Singer and actor Olivia Newton-John, who was best known for playing Sandy in the film 'Grease,' has died at the age of 73, according to her husband.
Saskatoon woman who had been reported missing faces charges in U.S., Canada
Saskatoon police say a woman who had been reported missing is facing charges in the United States related to unauthorized use of identification and in Canada related to parental abduction and public mischief.
$1.4B in uncashed cheques sitting in CRA's coffers -- how to check if you're owed money
The Canada Revenue Agency says it will be sending e-notifications about uncashed cheques to 25,000 Canadians this month.
Liberals planning temporary solution to dental care promise: CP sources
Sources close to the government's proposed $5.3 billion dental care program say the Liberals are planning a temporary solution that involves giving money directly to patients in order to keep their promise to the NDP while they work on a more permanent answer.
'Your Danny, your John': Condolences pour in for Olivia Newton-John
Actors, musicians, politicians and fans are reacting to the news of Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Olivia Newton-John's passing at 73.
Bill Graham, ex-interim Liberal leader and post-9/11 foreign affairs minister, dies
Condolences from Canadian politicians past and present poured out Monday as they learned about the death of Bill Graham, who served as foreign affairs minister when the country decided against joining the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
State of Ontario's health-care system not unprecedented, health minister says
Ontario's health minister said Monday that six hospitals had to close departments -- including ERs -- over the weekend, but argued that the situation wasn't unprecedented.