‘Treated differently’: Cineplex CEO insists movie theatres are equipped to open safely

WINNIPEG (CityNews) — It’s been a long time since Manitobans have been able to enjoy a movie on the big screen. And it could be a while longer.

As some provinces loosen restrictions and allow theatres to open, Manitoba has decided to keep them closed.

That has the president of Cineplex feeling its business is being unfairly targeted.

“We feel we are being treated differently,” said Ellis Jacob, president and CEO of Cineplex. “There are other indoor activities that are being permitted that really, to me, pose a greater danger than a movie theatre.

“We can control the number of people that come. We can control the exit and entry into the theatres.”

Jacob says Cineplex theatres are as well equipped as any indoor business to re-open safely. He says around the world, people have shown a desire to get back to the big screen. And he’s confident his organization can do it safely.

“The box office numbers are exceeding prior to COVID,” he said. “Japan had their biggest movie ever called ‘Demon Slayer,’ China opened a movie and it was the biggest gross on a weekend ever.”

But Premier Brian Pallister says his decision is based on the top doctors’ advice.

“I’m a film buff and I love my movie theatre experience, and that’s I think that’s pretty known by those who know me, so you know I’m as frustrated as anybody that we can’t get into theatres,” said Pallister.

“When you look around and see the variant cases springing up near us in Ontario and Saskatchewan on either side, I think maybe caution’s going to continue to be the order of the day at least for a while yet, until we can get vaccines here and get them in the arms of people.”

On the streets of Winnipeg, people seemed to err on the side of caution as well.

“I love movies, I miss going to them,” said one Winnipegger. “It does seem like a third wave is kind of creeping everywhere, so maybe it’s best to stay shut. But I can’t see it being much more risky than a lot of the other stuff like the Forks, where I’m about to go right now.”

“Keep the restrictions tighter until we get a handle on everything,” said another. “Until then, we just need to rely on the government support to keep our businesses going.”

Manitoba’s current round of restrictions is set to expire on Apr. 15.res,