"WHEREAS the Covid-19 pandemic has been both a health crisis and an economic crisis; and,
WHEREAS the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), an agency of the Province of Ontario, regulates licensed establishments; and,
WHEREAS the requirements for temporary extension of a liquor licence sales and temporary patio extensions have been relaxed throughout the pandemic, including downloading of certain approvals to the municipality, and proved beneficial to business operators; and,
WHEREAS the Downtown Kitchener BIA has invested $600,000 into new downtown restaurant patios and the Belmont Village BIA invested in creating a new pedestrian-only patio experience; and,
WHEREAS the City of Kitchener has provided $100,000 in business recovery grants to support Kitchener restaurants in adapting their patios to respond to the pandemic; and,
WHEREAS the City of Kitchener has developed a seamless system for approving patio expansion during the pandemic, supporting more than 60 restaurant owners across the city; and,
WHEREAS the City of Kitchener would like to provide further opportunities for helping strengthen our economy, continue to support local businesses, and have successfully managed the new licensed-area extension approvals delegated to the municipality;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Kitchener strongly encourages the Province of Ontario to continue the relaxed regulations in perpetuity, including, but not limited to, the following: i) permitting extensions of licensed areas without requiring AGCO approval, subject to municipal authorization; and, ii) flexibility on the requirements for demarcation of the limits of a patio, such as not requiring a prescribed physical barrier;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that should the AGCO propose to complete a comprehensive review of the temporary extension of a liquor licence sales and temporary patio extension regulations, The City of Kitchener wishes to volunteer to participate in any pilot programs that would allow the current regulations that are in effect until 3:00 a.m. on January 1, 2022 to be maintained, as the City would like to continue to show support to our local businesses;
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, Tom Mungham, Chief Executive Officer, AGCO, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Federation of Canadian Municipalities and all other municipalities in Ontario."