Ford Says He 'Can't Get Angry' At Owner Who Opened His Toronto Restaurant To The Public

"I'm not going to get up here and start pounding a small business owner."
Ford Says He 'Can't Get Angry' At Owner Who Opened His Toronto Restaurant To The Public
Staff Writer

A visibly frustrated Doug Ford is begging small business owners to shut their restaurants down and follow provincial health guidelines.

Ford was asked about Etobicoke's Adamson Barbecue, a restaurant that purposefully went against the provincial guidelines and opened for dine-in eating on Tuesday.

Premier Ford said that he couldn't be upset with small business owners trying to make ends meet, but that they needed to shut down for health and safety reasons.

Editor's Choice: An Etobicoke Restaurant Is Ignoring Ford's Orders & Opening Today For Dine-In (VIDEO)

I can't get angry at any business person, they're hurting right now and they're struggling. Premier Ford

"Please, you have to follow the protocols and the guidelines because if everyone does what he does ... you're going to be asking me another question when we hit 2,000, 3,000 cases a day," Ford told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

Toronto Police and City Bylaw Enforcement Officials have shown up to Adamson Barbecue, which is letting people eat inside in direct contradiction to provincial rules.

But as of yet, no charges have been publicly laid. 

Regardless of what happens at the restaurant, Ford says there's a big difference between people partying in their homes and people trying to eat at a local business.

"When it comes to private parties, that's a different ball of wax there," Ford said. "I don't condone that he opened up, but I feel terrible. My heart breaks for these guys and it's not fair.

"But I just want the guy to shut down," Ford sighed.

Cormac O'Brien
Staff Writer
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