Yesterday, I moved a motion to support Whitchurch-Stouffville’s restaurant industry by allowing parking infractions to be waived with proof of purchase from a local restaurant. I am thankful for Council’s unanimous support.
Mayor’s Motion
Whereas the restaurant industry was the first closed, has suffered the longest closures and the deepest restrictions throughout the pandemic and;
Whereas the restaurant industry have borne the expenses of PPE and safety protocols throughout the pandemic as well as the expenses related to the recent introduction of the vaccine passport system despite historic revenue losses.
Whereas according to survey data from Restaurants Canada: 8 out of 10 restaurants have been operating at a loss or barely scraping by with a profit margin of 2% or less throughout the entire pandemic; nearly half of all foodservice businesses have been consistently losing money ever since the first wave of lockdowns; and
Whereas the recent Covid19 lockdown announcement of January 6 has caused continued financial strain on Whitchurch-Stouffville’s restaurant industry,
THEREFORE be it resolved, that effective tomorrow (Thursday, January 20, 2022), residents who receive a parking ticket infraction from the Town can have the ticket cancelled if they provide to Town By-law Staff or Customer Service Staff within seven days of the date of ticket issuance:
Proof of residence in the Town; and
Proof of purchase (a receipt) from a Whitchurch-Stouffville restaurant in an amount equal to or greater than the set fine (The set fine is noted on the bottom of the ticket.)
And that this program shall continue until lockdown restrictions on restaurants are lifted by the Provincial Government (and in-person dining is allowed).
