TORONTO — The City of Toronto has approved two city-wide zoning amendments, which will now be made permanent, allowing local restaurants and bars to continue using more spaces on private property for outdoor dining.
With these changes, including year-round and seasonal CaféTO patios that allow for sidewalk and curb lanes, the city has enabled more space for outdoor dining that will in turn generate more revenue, provide more spaces for people to gather, celebrate and enjoy what restaurants in Toronto have to offer.
The foodservice industry has achieved remarkable growth, reaching almost $40 billion in 2022 with further forecasts for growth in 2023. However, this growth hasn’t translated into financial stability for the majority of foodservice businesses, with more than 56 per cent in Ontario operating at a loss or barely breaking even.
“I’ve been working with the City of Toronto for many months now to advocate for local restaurateurs and communicate the challenges that they’re facing. Restaurants Canada welcomes this announcement and thanks the City of Toronto and Mayor Olivia Chow for their commitment to Toronto’s vibrant restaurant industry. We’ll continue working with the City of Toronto to bring more relief to the foodservice operators of Toronto,” says Tracy Macgregor, VP, Ontario, Restaurants Canada. “This announcement is a step in the right direction in ensuring that our members, the hardworking foodservice operations who are stepping up to the plate each and every day have the supports that you need to continue moving forward and succeeding.”
