I am happy to report on a recent council decision that will help Vancouver's restaurant industry.
Last month, council voted to extend liquor serving hours, approving recommendations by city staff to provide restaurants with the option of extending liquor hours from midnight to 1 a.m. during the week, and from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends.
Vancouver has had outdated liquor laws for years. The restrictive hours were unbecoming of a city of Vancouver' size.  People do not work nine-to-five jobs anymore, and it is important to provide local options for people to be able to go out and grab a late-night meal and a drink.
These changes reflect the fact that Vancouver is maturing into a global, cosmopolitan city. It is also good timing for the 2010 Winter Games, which will bring visitors from across the world to Vancouver, all of whom will be crowding restaurants throughout Vancouver.
Since 2003, new restaurants were required to stop serving alcohol by midnight, which is significant since this group encompasses 38 per cent of Vancouver's 1,000 licensed restaurants.
A mishmash of different rules has governed the rest, with 40 per cent being able to serve until 1 a.m., and just 13 per cent able to serve until 2 a.m. Restaurants and patrons have been frustrated with the lack of fairness.  It also meant that some Vancouver neighbourhoods had late-night access, while others had nothing.
The new rules create an even playing field for restaurants across the city. Along with the extended hours, City Council passed a temporary by-law that will allow the city’s outdoor patios to remain open until 1am during the Olympic period.  Opening up more space in restaurants and bars will make it easier to serve everyone, including both residents and tourists, and help provide extra revenue for local businesses during tough economic times.
It’s time to establish Vancouver’s identity once and for all as a fun city. With the 2010 Winter Games coming, now’s our chance to show the world that Vancouver knows how to have a good time.