Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman has written a letter to the Premier, asking him to relax the capacity limits in restaurants.
He says if thousands of people can gather in a stadium or at a concert, then sitting at separate tables in a restaurant should not pose a greater threat.
Lehman wrote, “Restaurants aren’t just a place to eat – they are creative, entrepreneurial, energetic, and places for social connection. They liven up our streets, our malls, our neighborhoods, and are the bedrock businesses of our downtowns. They deserve our support.”
The Mayor says there are more than 400 restaurants in Barrie, employing more than 7-thousand people.
He added that in order to help the struggling industry and labour shortage, the Premier could offer a wage subsidy for kitchen and dining room workers.
"Restaurants aren't just a place to eat – they are creative, entrepreneurial, energetic, and places for social connection. They liven up our streets, our malls, our neighborhoods, and are the bedrock businesses of our downtowns. They deserve our support." pic.twitter.com/b0fFBv0dlU
— Jeff Lehman (@jedi_lehman) October 13, 2021