Will fences and rain stop St. Patrick’s Day street parties in Waterloo?
The City of Waterloo could be seen putting fences up on Ezra Avenue in Waterloo on Wednesday in preparation for a possible street party on St. Patrick’s Day.
Ezra Avenue was the location of massive street parties prior to the pandemic. One of the largest was in 2019, with more than 30,000 estimated on site.
Crowds of St. Patrick's Day revelers on Marshall Street around 1:30 p.m on March 17, 2022. (Jeff Pickel/CTV News)
Last year the city fenced off Ezra Avenue, so party go-ers crossed the road and partied on Marshall Street instead. Numbers were down significantly, but there were still thousands of people on the streets.
While Waterloo regional police remain tight-lipped about the plan for this Friday, one local elected official said it’s time for the tradition of a massive street party to end.
Regional Councillor Michael Harris told CTV news he has been hearing from constituents for years that they are tired of paying for police to manage these parties, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He said the price to pay is too much in a time of fiscal constraints.
“The cost outweighs the benefits, especially to our community and taxpayers. Their patience is extremely thin when it comes to costs that have been born with this outdoor party, and it’s time to wrap it up and take it inside,” Counc Harris said.
The most expensive party was back in 2019 when the all-in cost for police, paramedics, the city and the universities was over $750,000.
Ezra Avenue in Waterloo was jammed full during St. Patrick's Day celebrations on Saturday, March 17, 2018.
On Thursday, Waterloo students said they didn't think the rain in the forecast would deter partiers.
"I know we're going to see rain, but I don't think that's going to stop the Laurier spirit," one student told CTV News.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.