Toronto shows 'zero empathy' by making businesses pay parking fees after lockdowns, owner says
CBC
When Ontario eased some of its pandemic restrictions this summer and Mark Evans was allowed to reopen his east Toronto business, he says the last thing he expected was the city to hound him for unpaid parking fees.
Evans said Horizon Martial Arts has been open a total of three months since the pandemic began in March 2020 because of the provincial shutdowns to control the spread of COVID-19 that particularly impacted Toronto gyms.
He didn't pay the city's $3,000 fee over the course of the pandemic for three commercial spots outside the studio because he said for the vast majority of the time nobody associated with his business was using them. He also didn't know if he'd be able to survive financially.
"That was a pretty scary time," he said. "I didn't know if I was going to make it out. Nobody really knew what was going to happen."
When Horizon Marital Arts opened its doors again in July, the city began calling and sending emails, urging Evans to pay up, he said.
"The city's coming after me to put money in their coffers at a time when I'm just trying to bounce back and upgrade my place," he said. "I can guarantee I need the money more."
The $3,000 would be better spent upgrading the ventilation system in time for winter, said Evans.
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