'Doesn’t make any sense': Arts and culture sites pushing to reopen before Step 3
Arts and culture sites are among those businesses that will remain closed when Waterloo Region enters Step 2 of Ontario’s reopening plan on Monday.
But some local facilities are hoping that changes so that they can reopen before Step 3.
THEMUSUEM in Kitchener has opened two new exhibits, including a feathered dinosaur exhibit and Sonica, a sound exhibit - but the public hasn't been able to see either yet.
“It’s been sitting here. All the dinosaurs have been patiently waiting for the guests to arrive,” said David Marskell, THEMUSEUM's chief executive.
Pre-pandemic, THEMUSEUM’s capacity was around 800 patrons.
Marskell said they plan to cap it at much less than that when they’re given the green light to open their doors.
Right now, a reopening won't happen until the region reaches Step 3.
“What we had planned for is about 100 spaced out over five floors,” said Marskell.
Marskell is among many in the tourism industry hoping the province makes an exception to allow them to open sooner.
“Doesn’t make any sense,” said Doug Wilson, president of the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory.
He argues their spacious facility can be just as safe as other businesses allowed to operate in Step 2.
Staff with the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory said they have only been open for six weeks so far this year. They said last summer, after the first lockdown, they were successful and they want to do the same thing again, sooner.
Wilson said the conservatory installed plexiglass barriers, signage for one-way traffic flow and timed-entry tickets to control capacity.
Like many galleries and museums, the conservatory has tried to adapt with virtual installations, but it's been a challenge.
“You can’t expect to replace the experience of walking through a tropical butterfly conservatory but showing someone a photograph,” said Wilson.
According to the Tourism Association Of Ontario, these types of businesses can't afford to wait any longer.
“This is our peak season as a tourism and culture industry. That could be a huge amount of money that’s lost,” said Christopher Bloore, CEO of the Tourism Association of Ontario.
The association said about one in five Ontario tourism businesses, out of about 200,000, remain closed.
The association has been lobbying the province to be treated at par with other non-essential businesses.
“There has been no reported examples of transmission down to tourism. That’s the message that we are putting to the chief medical officer,” said Bloore.
In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries said outdoor museums and galleries can reopen as long as it is within capacity limits, but not indoor sites.
“While we are seeing a bend in the curve in Ontario, we are unable to speculate on the loosening of restrictions ahead of the implementation of Step 3 of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen," a spokesperson said in an email. "Details on Step 3 under the Roadmap will be provided in advance of implementation.”
The tourism association and local businesses said they will continue to fight to reopen as soon as possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.