(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Alcohol regulation

Council rejects bylaw to limit the number of liquor stores in P.A.

Aug 26, 2020 | 12:03 PM

Prince Albert city council has rejected a motion that would have capped the number of liquor stores in the city at 10.

Coun. Evert Botha, who brought the idea to council, told the Monday meeting it made sense to limit the number of liquor stores, given the city recently passed a similar bylaw for cannabis retailers.

Prince Albert currently has 10 liquor stores and a bylaw preventing them from operating within 500 meters of each other. New drive-thru liquor stores are also banned.

“We don’t know what that magic wand is that’s going to solve the addiction and substance abuse disorder within our community,” Botha said. “But the very least we can do as an administration is say we don’t want more than 10 liquor stores or stand alone liquor retailers within the City of Prince Albert.”

His proposal was roundly rejected by his colleagues, who voted 8-1 against it.

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Coun. Don Cody said the province had already agreed not to allow more than 10 liquor stores in the city. He felt a city bylaw would be redundant.

Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick similarily said he would rather see the number regulated by the province. He also pointed to the new 80-acre development planned for the East Hill.

“Maybe we do need another one there, I don’t know. I’m not promoting it and saying we do, but I don’t think we should restrict it to 10 to be honest with you,” he said. “It’s not going to stop the alcohol problem that we know is in this city. Prohibition didn’t do that.”

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom