Winnipeg barber's plan to offer 'yard calls' cut short by province
A Winnipeg barber who was planning to offer haircuts in people's yards says his plan was cut short by the province.
Less than a day after announcing plans to make 'yard calls' when Manitoba's new health orders take effect on the weekend, Winnipeg barber Jeremy Regen said he got a call from a public health officer.
"They said it is illegal for me to do what I'm doing," Regan, the owner of the Hunter and Gunn Barbershop, told CTV News on Thursday.
With the province slightly easing public health orders as of Saturday to allow up to five visitors on private property—Regan had hoped to offer haircuts outdoors in clients' yards.
A provincial spokesperson told CTV News, personal services, including haircuts, are not allowed under the public health orders due to the proximity required for the service.
"I find it a little bit laughable," Regan said.
"My intention was true—that I am suffering a little bit financially and I was trying to literally make my mortgage payment."
Regan said the community has been very supportive—offering to pay the money they would have for a hair cut. While he appreciates the gesture, Regan is asking people to donate that money to non-profits and specifically the Mama Bear Clan Patrol.
"Our barbershop donates a dollar from every service and a dollar from every product sold," he said.
"Hopefully, these people who have offered me money will donate it to Mama Bear Clan and they can kind of catch up, because with the lockdown we certainly are not going to be able to donate to them what we hoped to donate to them this year."
Regan said in the past 14 months, his barbershop has been closed for seven. For the months it was open, its capacity was limited.
He told CTV News even with some provincial financial assistance—the lockdown has taken a hit on the businesses.
"I feel the provincial government has made mistakes along the way and the people bearing those mistakes are the people they say they are supporting," he said.
"You don't have to talk to too many small business owners to realize that we haven't been supported how we need to be supported."
While his business will remain shuttered, Regan said he hopes the health orders may be eased in the near future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Prince Harry, Meghan arrive in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games and meet with wounded soldiers
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on Friday to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans, among them Nigerian soldiers fighting a 14-year war against Islamic extremists.
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.