Smokers take bylaw protest to City Hall

Court challenge begins today

Patrick Doyle, The Ottawa Citizen About 200 people braved the pelting rain yesterday to protest Ottawa's smoking bylaw at City Hall.

Despite the pelting rain, more than 200 people turned out for the Pub and Bar Coalition of Ontario rally at City Hall last evening to protest Ottawa's smoking bylaw.

Their message was clear: bar owners should have the freedom to choose how to run their businesses. "It's because of choice that I'm here," said Armande Taillefer, who broke the habit four years ago after smoking for more than 40. "They went too far with the bylaw. That's not what they're elected for. What's next? Where's it going to stop?"

Amid wafts of cigarette smoke, the protesters waved placards and shouted slogans like, "Let the owners decide," and "Hey hey, ho ho, the smoking ban has got to go." They marched from City Hall to the human rights monument on Elgin Street.

PUBCO's legal action against the smoking bylaw, which prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants, begins today in court.

"The city just wants to stop smoking, they don't want to compromise," said Doug Pettit, vice president of PUBCO, who said special ventilation technology exists and should be used instead of an all-out ban.

Bar owners cited a recent study from British Columbia, pointing out major economic and job losses after a provincial smoking ban took effect in January.

"After 80 days of the bylaw, 730 jobs were lost, nine businesses closed and more than $16 million was lost," said Dan Tate, who for 23 years ran an air-cleaning business in Ottawa called Pure Air. He is now out of business.

Efie Gattas, owner of Quick Chef restaurant in Vanier said she has laid off one chef and often sends staff home hours before their shift is over.

"All I want is my business back. That's all I want," she said.

Eddie Champagne, owner of Puzzles Sports Bar on Richmond Road said he isn't complying with the bylaw and doesn't intend to.

"If I did I'd go bankrupt in two months. If I just pay the fines, I'll last the year."

But Rob Cunningham, a lawyer for the Canadian Cancer Society, which is not involved in the legal battle, said even the bylaw will likely hold up in court.