City of Toronto wants feedback ahead of CafeTO 2023. Have your say
Posted November 1, 2022 8:14 pm.
Last Updated November 1, 2022 8:19 pm.
The City of Toronto is seeking the public’s opinion of the CaféTO program, which grants restaurants and bars the opportunity to expand outdoor dining space through sidewalk cafés, curb lane cafés or patios.
CaféTO was created during the COVID-19 pandemic as a lifeline to allow these local businesses to host patrons outdoors after public health restrictions were enacted that prohibited indoor dining. In 2020, CaféTO supported 801 restaurants in 62 Business Improvement Areas (BIA) and 96 restaurants outside of BIAs.
In 2021 and 2022, more than 1,200 dining establishments took part in CaféTO.
“Over the last three years, CaféTO has been a transformative program that has made our streets more vibrant and supported the restaurant industry during an unprecedented period of uncertainty,” Mayor John Tory said in a news release.
“I look forward to hearing the feedback collected through this survey, and I know it will help us continue to improve the program in the years to come.”
RELATED: City staff recommends plan to make CaféTO permanent
City Council made CaféTO a permanent program last year and asked staff to report on proposed changes specific to the curb lane café portion of the program in early 2023, which has been well-received by business owners and members of the public.
Survey results have been overwhelmingly positive, the city says. In 2021, a CaféTO survey received more than 10,000 responses, showing that 91 per cent of respondents believed that extended sidewalks and curb lane cafés should be allowed in Toronto moving forward.
In preparation for the winter months, city crews have removed CaféTO equipment, which Mayor Tory says will be completed by next week.
The online CaféTO survey will accept responses until Nov. 18, which the city says “will help shape the guidelines and criteria of future patio seasons in 2023 and beyond.”
Have your say and take part in the survey here.
