Olympic Spirits: Toronto Council Votes In Favour Of Morning Booze Sales During Winter Games

Get ready to raise a glass for Canadian athletes at the Winter Olympics.

Restaurants, bars and other drinking establishments in Toronto can get into the Olympic spirit after city council voted in favour of allowing the sale of booze in the early morning hours during the Winter Games being held in Italy.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s agenda item for Wednesday afternoon’s special city council meeting passed by a show of hands, allowing alcohol sales and service to begin at 6 a.m. from Feb. 5 to 22.

Chow reasoned that supporters of Canadian athletes competing in Milano and Cortina this month may want watch sporting events and celebrate their accomplishments.

“The time difference between Toronto and Italy means that some events and games will start at 6:00 a.m. EST,” the mayor wrote in an agenda item dated Tuesday.

“As a result, people will want to patronize local cafes and restaurants earlier than standard operating hours. For restaurants who wish to open and serve customers, the City should do everything we can to support these local businesses.”

The agenda item asked council to authorize the introduction of a by-law to extend alcohol sales for all days of Olympic competition.

“I am proposing City Council adopt this item so that we can celebrate the Team Canada Olympic spirit(s) throughout the winter games,” the mayor said.

The Ontario Restaurant, Hotel & Motel Association said it supported the extended hours for alcohol sales, pointing out the city has 8,000 restaurants and a hospitality sector that employs tens of thousands of residents.

“Despite its importance to the city’s economy and communities, the sector continues to face significant financial pressures, including rising operating costs, labour shortages, and ongoing recovery challenges,” wrote Tony Elenis, president and CEO of the organization.

He urged council to approve the extra hours of alcohol sales.

While limited to the Winter Olympics, Elenis called it a “practical, low-risk measure” that will help support local businesses during the event due to the time difference, adding the move would “increase revenues, support jobs, and provide welcoming spaces for residents and visitors cheering on Team Canada.”