A morning pint for the Olympics? Toronto approves alcohol sales starting at 6 a.m. in spirit of the games
CBC
Toronto businesses got the go-ahead to sell alcohol earlier than normal during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, after city council passed a motion allowing the extension on Wednesday.
The motion, put forward by Mayor Olivia Chow, allows alcohol sales in the city to start at 6 a.m. for the duration of the Winter Olympics from Feb. 5 to 22.
Chow's motion says the time difference between Toronto and Italy will mean some Olympic events will begin in the early morning and people will want to visit cafes and restaurants outside their standard operating hours to catch the games.
"The City should do everything we can to support these local businesses," the motion reads.
Usually, licensed businesses in Toronto are allowed to serve alcohol between 9 a.m. and 2 a.m. seven days of the week. On New Year's Eve, those hours are extended to 3 a.m.
Chow told reporters the motion also allows for people to come together to enjoy the excitement of the games rather than watching at home alone.
"That's more fun when there's so many people watching together," she told reporters before council Wednesday.
The province is largely in charge of regulating liquor laws across the province, but the city can pass a bylaw to extend alcohol service hours under the Liquor License and Control Act "during events of municipal, provincial, national or international significance."
The city has previously loosened alcohol sale hours for sporting events, including during the Olympic Games in 2014 and 2018.
Before Wednesday's meeting, Coun. Brad Bradford said he supports the move as it assists local businesses and promotes community.
"That's really what the Olympics is all about — countries and communities coming together around the power of sport and standing up and supporting our athletes," he said.
But Toronto residents have mixed opinions on the decision. Conor Dunnette said he doesn't think serving alcohol at 6 a.m. is a good idea and said it should be more restricted in general.
"Alcohol causes a lot of issues in society that we shouldn't be encouraging people to do it," he told CBC News while walking on Wednesday morning. "If you have to drink at six in the morning, you probably shouldn't be drinking."
Joe Dekort, another Torontonian, said he supports the extension of service hours and said people should be able to make their own decisions and support businesses.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.
While we officially welcomed spring last week, an incoming system will be a reminder that snow is still very much part of the new season, especially early on.
The future of a national historic site in Fredericton is up for discussion at meetings across New Brunswick in the next few weeks as the Anglican diocese considers what to do about costly repairs needed at Christ Church Cathedral.