Pandemic takes a big bite out of Quebec movie theatres

Bruce Gurberg smiles as he talks about the taste of movie popcorn and rattles off the list of films screening at his theatre in Côte-des-Neiges, despite the fact that last year his business was brought to a standstill by the pandemic.

"There's no question that our numbers have been down and it has not been pleasant," said Gurberg, owner and president of the Ciné Starz theatre chain.

"Being closed, with curfews, no food sales, it's absolutely been difficult."

Recent numbers published by the Institut de la statistique du Québec show cinemas across the province saw 14 million fewer visitors in 2020 than in 2019 — a 77 per cent drop, due largely to COVID-19 restrictions.

In March 2020, Quebec went into lockdown and cinemas were shut down. They re-opened with reduced capacity three months later when the summer looked hopeful. But by October, as Quebec was battered by another wave of infections, they were shuttered again as Premier François Legault imposed curfews and strict rules.

During this year's March break, theatres slowly welcomed movie goers back to their seats, but not without controversy.

Vincenzo Guzzo, president of Guzzo Cinemas, said most theatres wouldn't want to re-open without being able to sell popcorn and snacks, which represent half of their revenue. Premier Legault called it "popcorn gate" and the Quebec government agreed to compensate theatre owners for lost revenues from concession stands.