TORONTO - Toronto's deputy mayor is kicking around a proposal to extend drinking hours at the city's bars and restaurants during soccer's World Cup next month.
Host South Africa is six hours ahead of Eastern Time -- meaning morning games seen in Toronto will be on television at 10 a.m. -- an hour earlier than bars and restaurants can legally serve liquor.
Deputy mayor Joe Pantalone says many people like to have a drink as they cheer on their favourite team and should be allowed to do so.
He'll bring a motion before Toronto city council next Wednesday asking it to formally request the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to allow the change during the games.
The mayoral candidate says bar hours have been tweaked before, during the Toronto International Film Festival -- for example.
Pantalone says not only would it let Toronto soccer fans have a good time, it would give a boost to small businesses still struggling in the economic downturn.
