Doug Ford will consider expanding patios to help restaurants battered by COVID-19

Premier Doug Ford says he is open to more open-air wining and dining once bars and restaurants are allowed to reopen.

With restaurateurs and publicans struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford praised Progressive Conservative MPP Gila Martow's proposal to increase the size of restaurant patios.

I'll bring it to the health table. It's something that we could bring to the health table and ask them," the premier said Thursday, referring to the command table" overseeing Ontario's coronavirus response.

Martow (Thornhill) wants the province to work with municipalities and liquor licensing officials to expand the services that patios can offer, perhaps the hours they can offer it, perhaps the locations."

Perhaps they could take up a bit more space if there's maybe even park space or parking lots - that we can amend the rules," the MPP told the legislature Wednesday.

Spilling onto sidewalks, has long been the norm in Europe, could also be considered as long as patrons can sit safely apart to stop the spread of the virus.

Our restaurants and hospitality sector are part of the hardest hit by this pandemic of COVID-19," she said.

Everybody here would agree that people feel a lot more comfortable social distancing outside and that, hopefully, this global pandemic has toughened us up a little bit so that even if it's a bit chilly on the patio, we'll walk over and we'll dress appropriately."

Ford emphasized that the testing trends in the province must improve before any such liberalization can be considered.

Restaurants are hurting, but, again, it all goes back to the numbers - especially over the last four or five days we've seen these (positive tests) slowly creeping up," he said.

I want to give a shout-out to Gila. She's a real thinker. She comes up with great ideas all the time."

The Conservatives have shown some flexibility with Ontario's strict liquor licensing rules since the state of emergency was declared on March 17, permitting bars and restaurants to sell wine, beer, and spirits to go with takeout meals.

Still, many in the hospitality sector fear they may not be able to remain in business as they scramble to cover their rent payments.

Asked why his government has refused to issue a moratorium on commercial evictions during the pandemic, Ford said: well, I first want to give everyone a chance."

The premier noted the $900 million federal-provincial subsidy for landlords and tenants will be up and running on Monday.

Under that program Ottawa and Queen's Park will cover 50 per cent of commercial rent for April, May, and June while landlords and tenants will each be expected pay 25 per cent.

While there has been relatively little initial uptake on the plan, Ford, who has railed against greedy landlords," said he wants to wait and see.

They can apply May 25 ... so let's give everyone a chance. I've been very clear to landlords ... I want to protect the small business owners," he said.

Let's give it a shot and see how it goes. I can't measure it until we see the program start up next week."

Like Ford, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging landlords and tenants to enlist in the program.

If many businesses aren't able to make ends meet and do go under at this point, it will be a lot slower to pick up the economy and that will be bad for Canadians," he said Wednesday.

But it will also be bad for landlords. It will also be bad for building owners who will see a slower regaining of economic activity."

The Ontario Landlords Association has said more than 60 per cent of tenants did not pay full rent on May 1.

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie