Latest news with #DougDowney
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Alcohol to be served on party bikes in Ontario
The Doug Ford government is continuing to expand the accessibility to alcohol across Ontario by allowing party bikes, or 'pedal pubs' to serve booze or have it consumed on board. These types of operators are businesses that tour groups around notable areas on large, shared quadricycles, visiting local restaurants, breweries, wineries, cideries and other businesses. The province says this change would apply to pedal pub operators in Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Windsor beginning July 1. Prior to the change, these party bikes would only transport tourist groups to various vendors and producers. Ottawa currently has one party bike operator, the Thursty Pedaler, which operates pub crawl and coffee shop tours in the Glebe and Hintonburg neighbourhoods. 'Explore some of the best bars, restaurants, and patios Ottawa has to offer. Pedal your way through one of two vibrant Ottawa neighborhoods, refueling along the way at three local watering holes,' the Thursty Pedaler says on its website. 'The tour is 2 hours and includes a designated party pilot, a curated party playlist, samples at our awesome partner locations, and an all-around party-pedaling great time. Each tour hosts up to 14 people.' 'Pedal pubs offer a fun and memorable way to explore Ontario's communities, and we're making sure that experience is responsible,' said Attorney General Doug Downey, in a statement. 'Beginning this summer, Ontario is supporting a unique opportunity that will not only stimulate tourism and bring communities together, but also protect local jobs, our economy and small businesses across the province.' Pedal pubs are allowed to operate in a community only once the local municipality passes a by-law to permit their operations. A licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will be required to sell and serve alcohol on pedal pubs.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ontario to allow alcohol on Pedal Pubs starting in July
The Ontario government has announced it will allow alcohol to be served on large quadricycles, better known as pedal pubs, starting on July 1. The change would apply to pedal pubs with an alcohol license in Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ottawa and Windsor with room for twelve or more people, according to a news release from the Attorney General of Ontario issued Friday. The province launched a 10-year pilot program for pedal pubs back in 2022, but they were not allowed to serve alcohol up until now. The release says the move is meant to support small businesses and encourage local tourism in the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty "Beginning this summer, Ontario is supporting a unique opportunity that will not only stimulate tourism and bring communities together, but also protect local jobs, our economy and small businesses across the province," Attorney General Doug Downey said in a statement.
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Ontario to allow alcohol on Pedal Pubs starting in July
The Ontario government has announced it will allow alcohol to be served on large quadricycles, better known as pedal pubs, starting on July 1. The change would apply to pedal pubs with an alcohol license in Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ottawa and Windsor with room for twelve or more people, according to a news release from the Attorney General of Ontario issued Friday. The province launched a 10-year pilot program for pedal pubs back in 2022, but they were not allowed to serve alcohol up until now. The release says the move is meant to support small businesses and encourage local tourism in the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty "Beginning this summer, Ontario is supporting a unique opportunity that will not only stimulate tourism and bring communities together, but also protect local jobs, our economy and small businesses across the province," Attorney General Doug Downey said in a statement.
Global News
5 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Alcohol officially allowed on Ontario pedal pubs starting July 2025
The Ontario government has finally allowed alcohol to be served and consumed on pedal pubs starting in July in a bid to boost tourism. As of July 1, pedal pubs — where several people sit on a large open-air bicycle with seats surrounding a central bar — will be allowed to have alcohol on board. Boozeless pedal pubs currently operating in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Toronto, Ottawa and Windsor and are used to transport 12 or more people to restaurants and bars would have this alcohol change applied, the government said. Previously, alcohol was not allowed to be sold, served or consumed on pedal pubs when Ontario launched a 10-year pilot program for it in 2022. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Pedal pubs offer a fun and memorable way to explore Ontario's communities, and we're making sure that experience is responsible,' said Attorney General Doug Downey. Story continues below advertisement 'Beginning this summer, Ontario is supporting a unique opportunity that will not only stimulate tourism and bring communities together, but also protect local jobs, our economy and small businesses across the province,' Downey said. The Ontario government said pedal pubs are allowed to operate in a community only once the local municipality passes a bylaw to permit operations. Municipalities may also set special local rules for operating the pedal pubs on their roadways, such as designated routes and hours of operation so that it does not cause disruption or contribute to traffic issues, the government said. In addition, the government said a liquor licence must be obtained from the AGCO (the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) to sell and serve alcohol on pedal pubs. This process will open in July. 'This initiative builds on Ontario's work to modernize the alcohol marketplace responsibly and safely,' the government said. 'In the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty, the government is continuing to pursue opportunities to help grow Ontario's $32 billion provincial tourism industry, which supports 325,000 jobs across the province.'
