Mayor Burton welcomes Province’s announcements on patio expansions and ban on commercial evictions

The advocacy by Mayor Rob Burton, Town Council and Oakville’s Economic Task Force paid off with the announcements of the Province extending outdoor patios and the ban on commercial evictions.

“We're grateful for their positive responses to our requests. Today’s announcements demonstrate that our advocacy on behalf of Oakville’s restaurants and small businesses ultimately paid off,” said Mayor Burton.

Oakville’s Economic Task Force – comprising of the Town of Oakville’s Economic Development Department, the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, Oakville Business Improvement Associations, wrote to the Attorney General requesting urgent action to ensure the safe re-introduction of patio service for restaurants and for the Province to waive the $815 application fee. The Task Force also wrote to the Premier requesting a ban on commercial evictions to help Oakville’s restaurants and small businesses.

“By sharing our letters and Council resolutions with my Mayoral colleagues and their respective Councils, Mayors across Ontario wrote to their local MPPs and the Premier on the patio expansion and commercial eviction issues. In the end the Province was receptive to this advocacy from municipalities,” concluded Mayor Burton.

Restaurants can sign up for the Town of Oakville’s new patio program on our Patio Application page. Application fees related to processing permits have been waived for 2020.