Councillors band together to get $500 patio fee off the table

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This article was published 11/03/2021 (1993 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg councillors are looking to extend a hand to small businesses by axing the $500 fee for temporary summer patios.

St. James Coun. Scott Gillingham has gathered together all members of the finance committee — Sherri Rollins, Jason Schreyer and John Orlikow — to propose a joint motion to waive the $500 patio registration fee and refund businesses that have already paid it.

“At council, we recognize that restaurants have really been hurt by the health restrictions related to COVID-19. The impact started in early 2020 and the financial impact continues,” said Gillingham, who chairs the finance committee, on Thursday.

“I think the fact that there are several councillors working towards this right now indicates that council wants to support our local restaurants.”

To date, four restaurants and bars have had temporary patio licences approved: Times Change(d) on Main Street, Roughage Eatery on Sherbrook Street, Earls in St. Vital and Wasabi on Broadway.

Gillingham said they would receive refunds should the motion be approved.

“Many restaurant owners are still struggling under the weight of health restrictions that have drastically reduced their ability to earn revenue,” said Gillingham. “Waiving the summer patio fees expands on the business supports included in the 2021 budget that create jobs and strengthen our local economy.”

In addition, Coun. Kevin Klein called the fee “unfriendly” and said it won’t “help us get our economy back on solid ground.”

“I want to see patios open as quickly as possible. I want to see people working on patios as quickly as possible.”

The Manitoba Restaurant Association has reported 10,000 restaurants have closed across the province as a result of the pandemic, Klein said, and the added fee presents an extra hurdle for them.

“More and more financial burden is being added to our small businesses,” Klein said. “It’s a small gesture, but I think it’s the least we can do to start promoting business, to start getting people back out to businesses.”

Klein said he anticipates pushback would come from councillors who believe the fee is essential for the city’s budget.

“We have full-time staff already doing the job. It doesn’t cost us any more money.”

The city has said the fee helps offset administration costs.

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jsrutgers