A gym in the Montreal neighbourhood of Villeray was one of several across Quebec that held protests to oppose the provincial government's decision to exclude them from its pandemic reopening plan.
An association representing gym owners in Quebec says they are being ignored by the province as they attempt to secure a timeline for reopening. This comes as restaurants, youth sports, and indoors gatherings will now be permitted as of Monday
Gym owners are stretched thin while they have been closed for 14 of the last 22 months, the Fitness Industry Council of Canada says. Owners have accumulated an average of $75,000 to $80,000 in debt, according to an internal survey.
Gyms and fitness centres across B.C. will begin opening their doors after a month of closures due to COVID-19 on Friday, but restrictions on capacity and increased safety protocols remain.