If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.
This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.
So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on an online filing service, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Kingston, Ontario.
At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.
Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.
Using a trademark attorney for filing in Kingston, Ontario, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.
In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:
1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.
2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.
3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.
The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.
The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.
Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:
Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.
Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.
Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.
Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.
Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.
Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.
Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.
Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.
Online services, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Kingston, Ontario.
Although online filing services offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. Online filing services' disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, online filing services cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.
In other words, online filing services can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.
For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.
Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Kingston, Ontario can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.
The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.
Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.
During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.
After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.
It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.
By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Kingston, Ontario, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.
In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.
In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.
If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.
To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.
It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.
Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.
It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.
When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.
Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.
In summary:
Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.
If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.
KINGSTON, Ont. – For the first time in tour history, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Canada’s elite Cup Series will buck into Kingston, Ontario, holding the PBR Kingston Classic at Leon’s Centre on June 5.PBR Canada’s Cup Series regularly features Canada’s best riders alongside some of the organization’s top international athletes, squaring off against the rankest bucking bulls from across the nation.For one night only, fans will witness exhilarating 8-second rides and wrecks throughout the un...
KINGSTON, Ont. – For the first time in tour history, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Canada’s elite Cup Series will buck into Kingston, Ontario, holding the PBR Kingston Classic at Leon’s Centre on June 5.
PBR Canada’s Cup Series regularly features Canada’s best riders alongside some of the organization’s top international athletes, squaring off against the rankest bucking bulls from across the nation.
For one night only, fans will witness exhilarating 8-second rides and wrecks throughout the unpredictable, action-packed event as the PBR’s courageous bull-riding athletes face off against their 2,000-pound opponents born to buck.
The PBR Kingston Classic will mark the fifth event of the nine-event regular season for PBR Canada’s premier Cup Series in 2024. The event is one of two stops the Cup Series will make in Ontario in 2024, travelling to London on June 1.
The debut of PBR Canada Cup Series in Kingston comes on the spurs of a historic season for the organization. In 2023, PBR Canada increased the Champion’s bonus to $100,000, making the $250,000, year-end National Finals the second-richest finals event within PBR, trailing on the World Finals.
When the dust settled on the 2023 season, Dakota Buttar (Eatonia, Saskatchewan) cemented his name in history, completing a come-from-behind surge to be crowned the 2023 PBR Canada Champion, becoming just the fourth rider in history to win the title in multiple seasons.
Buttar, who won his first title in 2020, travelled to Edmonton for the 2023 PBR Canada National Finals, presented by Command Tubular Products, having not competed in more than a month after suffering a broken collarbone in winning the Cup Series event in Grande Prairie, Alberta in October.
As a result of being sidelined, Buttar began the year-end event No. 3 in the standings, 95.66 points back of regular-season No. 1 Cody Coverchuk (Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan).
Proving he had not missed a step, Buttar first put points on the board in Round 1 when he covered Young Blood (X6 Ranch Bucking Cattle/Legend Rodeo Stock) for 84.75 points. The reserved Saskatchewan native then delivered his second score in as many attempts as he went the distance aboard High Voltage (Wilson Rodeo) for 86 points.
Via the 2-for-2 showing on the opening night of action, Buttar rose to No. 2 in Canada, pulling within 57.66 points of the top spot.
Buttar returned to Rogers Place on Championship Sunday determined not to let another title slip through his fingers. Quick to convert, Buttar recorded the fifth best score of Round 3 when he rode Irish Rebel (Wilson Rodeo) for 85.5 points. The score earned Buttar the second pick in the championship round, an opportunity he used to select Time Marches On (Thompson Rodeo Livestock).
In a decision which proved dividends, Buttar remained in perfect time with the animal athlete, matching him jump-for-jump en route to the requisite 8 as the crowd erupted in raucous cheer. The 86.75-point score punctuated Buttar’s perfect 4-for-4 outing inside the home of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers.
Finishing the 2023 Canadian National Finals tied for second, Buttar, who earned 199 national points, vaulted to the No. 1 rank in the nation, crowned the 2023 PBR Canada Champion and earning the accompanying $100,000 bonus. Buttar concluded the campaign 38.84 points ahead of 2022 PBR Canada Champion and this season’s No. 2 Nick Tetz (Calgary, Alberta).
The bull riding action for PBR Canada Cup Series’ Kingston Classic, begins at 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, January 26 at 10:00 a.m. EST, and start at $25, standard ticketing fees may apply, and can be purchased at the Leon’s Centre Box Office and online at Ticketmaster.ca.
For more information, stay tuned to PBRCanada.com and follow the tour on Facebook (PBR Canada), Twitter (@PBRCanada), and Instagram (@PBRCanada) for the latest results.
Another Greater Toronto Area shopping centre is on the chopping block, one that could completely transform the skyline of Pickering with a staggering fourteen towers as tall as 35 storeys.A new development application spells out the impending end of the Brookdale Centre, a car-centric big-box shopping plaza near Highway 401 and Liverpool Road.Developers Tribute Communities and BentallGreenOak are seeking permits to tear down the majority of ...
Another Greater Toronto Area shopping centre is on the chopping block, one that could completely transform the skyline of Pickering with a staggering fourteen towers as tall as 35 storeys.
A new development application spells out the impending end of the Brookdale Centre, a car-centric big-box shopping plaza near Highway 401 and Liverpool Road.
Developers Tribute Communities and BentallGreenOak are seeking permits to tear down the majority of the shopping plaza with a new mixed-use community featuring a futuristic twist on the standard suburban condo vernacular designed by Turner Fleischer Architects.
The plan proposes demolition for most of the strip mall's current buildings, sparing an area on the west side of the property that includes four low-rise structures.
Fourteen towers across six connected clusters, with heights ranging from 17 to 35 storeys, will essentially create an entirely new skyline for Pickering in the process.
These towers would be constructed over four separate phases, and combine to bring a staggering 5,238 residential units to the area once fully built out.
All of this new residential density would be supported by a mix of uses at street-level, including 7,149 square metres of retail/commercial space woven into pedestrian-oriented blocks and a 716 square metre daycare facility serving residents' childcare needs.
These commercial uses would be complemented by 6,237 square metres of privately-owned public space and 4,458 square metres of public parkland dedication.
Similar plans are in the works for suburban strip malls across the GTA. Earlier this year, a major redevelopment was proposed for a strip mall in Brampton, seeking permits to build 15 towers as tall as 68 storeys.
These strip mall redevelopments add to a much broader wave of shopping centre demolitions and intensifications planned or ongoing in the region, creating something of a mallpocalypse.
Toronto malls with planned or active redevelopments now include Humbertown Shopping Centre, Westside Mall, Scarborough Town Centre, Yorkdale, Sherway Gardens, Fairview Mall, the ongoing redevelopment of Galleria Mall, Yorkgate Mall, Agincourt Mall, Atrium on Bay, Dufferin Mall, Centrepoint Mall, Cloverdale Mall, Malvern Town Centre and Jane Finch Mall.
Kingston, Ont., preparing for total solar eclipseWith just weeks to go until Kingston is in the path of a total solar eclipse the city's tourism drivers are preparing to make a weekend of it.0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcutsKeyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabledPlay/PauseSPACEIncrease Volume↑Decrease Volume↓Seek Forward→Seek Backward←Captions On/OffcFullscreen/Exit FullscreenfMute/Un...
Kingston, Ont., preparing for total solar eclipse
With just weeks to go until Kingston is in the path of a total solar eclipse the city's tourism drivers are preparing to make a weekend of it.
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Kingston says it’s preparing for up to half a million people to visit the city for next month’s total solar eclipse.
Officials are warning the influx of visitors — which would more than triple the city’s population — is likely to lead to traffic delays and residents are being asked to consider staying close to home to watch the celestial event.
“The entire city will be in the path of totality, so once you have high-quality solar eclipse glasses, you can experience the eclipse from anywhere in town,” the city said in a release touting ways to “celebrate the celestial event safely.”
“Residents of Kingston should view the eclipse in their neighbourhood or close to where they live to minimize the amount of traffic on the roadways. ”
On the afternoon of April 8, southern Ontario will be in the path of totality, which means the region will be plunged into complete darkness, something that hasn’t happened here in centuries.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, aligning perfectly and completely blocking the sunlight.
Typically, a total solar eclipse is visible once roughly every 18 months or once every one to two years from somewhere on Earth, but for a given location this can be a very rare occurrence coming after a gap of centuries.
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It’s the first total solar eclipse in nearly 700 years in Kingston and the city is considered one of the best areas to experience the rare event.
“It’s a beautiful, natural phenomenon and it allows us to actually think about our place in the universe,” said Robert Knobel, associate professor and head of the department of physics, engineering physics and astronomy at Queen’s University, previously told Global News.
“It really allows us a chance to experience astronomical phenomena, just by walking outside.”
Kingston has been preparing for an influx of people, with Visit Kingston previously telling Global News hotel rooms are booking up with tourists from as far away as Japan.
But Tuesday marked the first time the city has put a number on exactly how many tourists it is expecting.
The city said road closures are planned and “additional detours should be expected April 8.”
To help with the expected traffic problems, the city says it will be offering free bus service in Kingston on April 8 and officials are asking residents to avoid driving if possible.
“Be prepared for traffic delays,” the city said in its release.
“With the increased traffic on the roads, we ask everyone to consider taking public transit, walking or cycling to get to their destination.”
A number of sites will be set up throughout Kingston to provide a place for people to view the eclipse on April 8, including a free event planned at Grass Creek Park from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Grass Creek Park event will include live entertainment, food trucks and educational programming, the city said.
More details about everything planned in Kingston for the eclipse can be found on the city’s website.
Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 5, 2024) - Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) ("Ucore" or the "Company") is pleased to host Canadian Government officials at its RapidSX™ Commercialization and Demonstration Facility ("CDF") in Kingston, Ontario, ...
Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 5, 2024) - Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) ("Ucore" or the "Company") is pleased to host Canadian Government officials at its RapidSX™ Commercialization and Demonstration Facility ("CDF") in Kingston, Ontario, for the formal announcement of $4.2 million of funding through Natural Resources Canada's ("NRCan") Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration ("CMRDD") program. This funding program was originally announced by Ucore on November 20, 2023.
Today, Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a $4.2-million investment to Ucore Rare Metals Inc. This investment will help scale up and demonstrate the commercial efficacy of Ucore's pending patent and Canadian-developed RapidSX™ rare earth element separation technology platform under rigorously simulated commercial conditions.
From left to right: Shelley Hirstwood, Director of Business Development, Kingston Economic Development;Boyd Davis, CEO, Kingston Process Metallurgy; Vincent Cinanni, Municipal Councillor, Mayor's Office of Kingston; Mark Garretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston Ontario; Mike Schrider P.E., Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ucore Rare Metals Inc; Craig Taylor, CEO, Defense Metals; and Jeff Dawley, CFO, Cyclic Materials.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1119/196861_1d322ed4d40b29f4_001full.jpg
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, stated, "Critical metals like rare earth elements are an integral part of many clean technologies and energy sources. Demand for these resources will only grow. That is why we are taking action to build resilient and secure supply chains that provide the materials we need and the good jobs Canadian workers deserve right here in Canada. Investments like today's, help to support these goals and will help us to build a prosperous and sustainable low-carbon economy that works for everyone."
Funded through the CMRDD program, Ucore's project will support Canada in increasing the supply of metals that are essential to the development of electric vehicle motors and wind turbines. This is a critical step in the development of a domestic electric vehicle value chain.
Mike Schrider, P.E., Vice President & COO of Ucore, noted, "This NRCan demonstration project shines a light on the lesser known but equally important aspect of the critical metals supply chain in North America - rare earth elements. A rare earth permanent magnet motor is by far the most efficient means of converting electrical energy from batteries to mechanical energy for electric vehicles, and in reverse, wind turbines. Ucore is very appreciative of this NRCan opportunity to demonstrate our transformative RapidSX™ technology for the separation of rare earth elements with our Canadian project partners, Cyclic Materials, Defense Metals, and Kingston Process Metallurgy. Through this project, we are moving Canada closer to fully incorporating these critical supply chain metals on a significant commercial scale."
Kingston, Ont., preparing for total solar eclipseWith just weeks to go until Kingston is in the path of a total solar eclipse the city's tourism drivers are preparing to make a weekend of it.0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcutsKeyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabledPlay/PauseSPACEIncrease Volume↑Decrease Volume↓Seek Forward→Seek Backward←Captions On/OffcFullscreen/Exit FullscreenfMute/Un...
Kingston, Ont., preparing for total solar eclipse
With just weeks to go until Kingston is in the path of a total solar eclipse the city's tourism drivers are preparing to make a weekend of it.
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City officials are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst, as Kingston prepares for the possibility of hundreds of thousands of visitors crowding city streets for next month’s solar eclipse.
Earlier this week the city warned residents as many as 500,000 people may arrive in Kingston to view the rare celestial event on April 8.
But the truth is, there’s no way of knowing exactly how many people will show up for the big show, says Brad Joyce with the city.
And that is making planning tough.
“This is something that we’ve never experienced – the city has never experienced this,” said Joyce, Kingston’s commissioner for infrastructure, transportation and emergency services.
“We haven’t had a total solar eclipse here for almost 700 years and the next one won’t occur here until 2399 so, this is it – this is the big one.”
2:09
On the big day, parts of southern Ontario, including Kingston, will be in the path of totality, which means the region will be plunged into complete darkness, something that hasn’t happened here in centuries.
Joyce said Kingston is among the top five sites in Canada for the solar eclipse, and people are traveling from around the world to see it.
While local hotels have been booked up for months, Joyce says exactly how many people will end up watching the eclipse in Kingston will depend on a few factors, most notably the weather.
If Kingston’s forecast calls for clouds or overcast skies on April 8, they expected hundreds of thousands of people will likely thin out as people head to areas along the pathway with better weather, Joyce said.
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But if other areas — like Niagara Falls which is expecting up to a million visitors — have bad weather and Kingston is clear, well that’s what Joyce calls “the worst-case scenario.”
“We would have a massive influx,” he said, adding that even under poor-weather conditions the city is expecting as many as 70,000 visitors — more than double the crowds seen for the Tragically Hip’s last hometown show in 2016.
Planning for the worst-case scenario means, first and foremost, making sure emergency vehicles can get to Kingston’s downtown hospitals even if streets and roadways are filled with gridlocked traffic, Joyce says.
To that end, Joyce says the city will close King Street from Barrie to Union Street for emergency traffic and transit only on April 8.
Joyce said the city is also looking at putting up a fence around Kingston General Hospital’s helicopter pad and will “dynamically reserve” a lane on Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard to make sure emergency vehicles can get downtown from Highway 401, if need be.
Many civic buildings and services will also be closed on April 8, including City Hall and rec centres, Joyce said.
1:48 Queen’s University providing eyewear for Solar Eclipse
“At the end of the day, if we get the gridlock that we could potentially get … there’s very little that we can do,” he said.
“That’s why we’re trying to do what we can, at least in terms of trying to protect a route for paramedics, ambulances and other emergency vehicles to access the hospitals.”
Joyce says the city looked at the experiences of U.S. communities that drew massive crowds for the 2017 total eclipse for Kingston’s planning.
Using that data he says officials expect traffic jams lasting four hours if things go well and gridlock lasting up to 15 hours if they don’t.
The biggest concern, he says, is what will happen directly after the eclipse, when everyone wants to leave at the same time.
It’s why several different viewing sites are planned around town, including a free event planned at Grass Creek Park from 1 to 5 p.m.
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“Having those sites distributed like that, we’re hoping will help ease that traffic congestion,” Joyce said.
Officials are also asking Kingstonians to avoid driving on the day of the eclipse and if possible, they suggest watching the event close to home.
A full list of everything planned in Kingston for the day of the eclipse can be found on the city’s website.
Joyce says the city will decide whether or not to set up its emergency operations centre based on how the weather forecast is looking on the Friday leading up to Monday’s eclipse.
“If it’s forecast to be overcast and cloudy then maybe we won’t get all of that traffic, which, from an emergency perspective might be good,” he said.
“But I’m sure it would be a huge disappointment to all those solar eclipse enthusiasts who are hoping to see that.”