'It's very aloof': Business owners disappointed with Manitoba's reopening plan
Business owners in Manitoba have been eagerly awaiting the province's reopening plan and watched closely as it was unveiled Thursday.
For many, the plan was vague and disappointing.
"My business hangs in the balance of people not willing to get their first vaccines," said Christopher Graves, who owns the King's Head Pub.
"That's just not fair at all."
The province's reopening plan focuses on vaccine targets as the benchmark to reopen with Canada Day as the first goal. At least 70 per cent of Manitobans 12 and older will need to have at least one dose and 25 per cent with two doses for the first phase of the plan to be rolled out in July.
"Even if we do get to open according to their plan, we may only be at 25 per cent capacity still," said Graves. "It's very aloof. We don't know if restaurants and bars are even open in this first plan."
Another business left with questions is Sapphire Hair Lounge on Academy Road.
"We patiently watched and waited for them to name our industry, and they haven't really," said co-owner Kelly O'Leary.
The plan simply states, "Meeting vaccine targets by Canada Day means businesses, services and facilities can open at 25 per cent or greater levels," but does not go into further detail.
O'Leary is hoping salons will be included in the first phase of reopening.
"We're ready to go. We have the PPE, we have all the cleaning stuff. We just have to call our clients and get them back in the book, but we are champions at that now," said O'Leary.
Under the last major round of restrictions, fitness centres and gyms were also forced to close.
"There's so much uncertainty just trying to plan as a small business owner," said Tim Yuen, owner of 9Round Downtown Fitness.
"Every day, we're just not really sure which day we need to let our members know."
While Yuen wishes he had clarity on an opening date, he said the reopening plan is promising.
"It is encouraging that it is moving in the right direction. I don't know how fast it can be changed, like I don't know if it's the following week we increase from five to 10," said Yuen.
The province said on Thursday if vaccine targets are met early, the plan could be sped up.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce said the reopening plan is long overdue, and while it does provide businesses with hope, it is lacking details.
The organization is calling for more financial supports, in the meantime, to help struggling businesses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.