Agenda Index City of Vancouver

REPORT TO COUNCIL

VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION

April 27 and May 5, 1999

Special meetings of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission were held on Tuesday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m., at the Dunbar Community Centre, Room 209, 4747 Dunbar Street, and May 5, 1999, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hastings Community Centre Auditorium, 3096 Hastings Street, for the purpose of hearing public input on the Provincial Government's proposed changes to the Liquor Regulations.

Although delegations were heard on two separate evenings, their comments have been minuted concurrently for ease of reference.

1. Provincial Liquor Review

At its meeting of April 13, 1999, Vancouver City Council had before it a Policy Report dated April 7, 1999, entitled "Proposed Provincial Liquor License Regulations - City Response". Council endorsed some recommendations in principle, opposed some recommendations, and requested clarification on others. Council also voted to hold two special Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission meetings to hear from the public, law enforcement authorities, treatment providers, not-for-profit, and other interested parties, to allow Council to present a wide range of opinion to the Province before new legislation and regulations are enacted.
Arising from the Policy Report, staff had prepared a "Backgrounder" document which identified the City's position as follows:

The key issues which the City has identified to date are:

1. City Council has identified the following key concerns which are not addressed in the review:

2. City Council is concerned about recommendations that increase the availability of alcohol or potentially increase neighbourhood impacts such as:

3. City Council supports some recommendations subject to further consultation:

Councillor Kennedy opened the meetings by providing background information on events that led to the current stage of public consultation in the process of enacting the new Provincial legislation.

Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, provided an overview of the proposed changes to the liquor licensing regulations and Council's position.

Jeff Brooks (April 27), Director of Community Services - Social Planning, and Anne Kloppenborg (May 5), Social Planner provided a summary of implications to the City associated with negative health and social issues that arise from increased availability of alcohol.

The following speakers were heard:

Speakers (continued):

Where possible, speakers' comments have been categorized under headings which identify
the City's concerns.

Points raised by speakers in relation to health and social issues include the following:

· identified critical lack of funding and treatment facilities for drug and alcohol addictions; Province should deal with existing needs before increasing alcohol availability;
· suggestion was made that extra tax be applied on alcoholic beverages or percentage of alcohol related revenues be used to fund treatment facilities;
· proposed regulations do not reflect Provincial commitment to alcohol or drug addiction rehabilitation;
· Gastown and Downtown Eastside area already have the heaviest concentration of drinking seats in Canada;
· increased licensed seating will require more compliance monitoring, otherwise can expect increased calls for police service and more complaints from communities;
· suggestion made that automatic closure penalties be applied for liquor license violations;
· concern expressed regarding allowing children into drinking establishments - new regulations must include established penalties for infractions and improved enforcement;

Points raised by speakers in relation to increased availability of alcohol and neighbourhood impacts:

· proposed changes that affect restaurants will not result in a proliferation of seats, will only legalize what is already going on - even if implemented BC will still be the most regulated province;
· restricting mobility and freedom of citizens does not address current problems with irresponsible operators and patrons;
· concern was expressed regarding restaurants which act as pubs and restaurants with live entertainment and DJ's without appropriate licensing and regulation;

· comments made regarding enforcement included:

· concern was expressed that restaurants abusing the system taint the reputations of responsible operators;
· cabarets already operate at over-capacity on Friday and Saturday nights;
· other rules besides occupancy limits govern capacity: e.g. exits, washrooms -therefore proposed increases may only result in approximately 800 additional seats across city;
· cabarets are subject to more enforcement than any other type of license;
· proposed increase in seating for pubs would be minimal;
· DTES Revitalization Plan recommended reducing the number of licensed seats in the Downtown Eastside by 1,000;
· increased capacities and longer hours may alleviate negative impacts of line-ups;
· if licensed cabarets don't fill need for late night entertainment, that need will be filled by illegal operations which pose a hazard as they are not properly policed and may not provide adequate facilities or fire protection;
· bar and restaurant industries are large employers of youth, therefore increasing hours would provide more entry level employment;
· support was expressed for neighbourhood pubs which serve local residents, helping to decrease impaired driving and negative impacts on neighbourhoods which currently have a concentration of drinking premises;
· proposal does not address problem premises - need efficient mechanism in place for license removal;
· support expressed for ability to transfer licensed seats from one area to another;
· support expressed for closing times to be extended to coincide with early morning public transit operation;
· recommendation for more dance halls without liquor services to serve a younger clientele;
· support expressed for earlier opening times for bars (i.e. 4:00 p.m.), and Sunday operating hours which are consistent with other days of the week.

Points raised by speakers in relation to the removal of the requirement to operate rooms as a condition of hotel pub licenses:

· concern expressed that potential loss of affordable housing could result in increased homelessness;
· recommendation that the City maintains its stand in regard to retaining the link between hotel pub licenses and hotel rooms.

Points raised by speakers in relation to license renewals, "Serving It Right" training, and high potency alcohol products (i.e. rice cooking wine):

· support expressed for annual reviewing of liquor licenses, with community input;
· liquor licensing can be administered more effectively at the municipal level;
· rice alcohol should be regulated through LCLB and sold only in government liquor stores;
· rice wine distribution should be controlled at the import level;
· "Serving It Right" program should also be a requirement for staff in Class B licensed premises;
· recommend "Serving It Right" certification be renewed yearly.

Other points raised by speakers:

· proposed changes will bring BC's liquor laws closer to other jurisdictions; may result in the removal of one more obstacle for companies wanting to do business in B.C.;
· proposed changes will help address problems of over-crowding, over-serving, and serving to minors;
· proposed changes will increase opportunity for local input into liquor licensing;
· although the current regulations are not too difficult to work with, it is hoped proposed agreement will be taken as a whole;
· Provincial recommendations will cut red tape in terms of advertising by adopting federal code;
· public better served by a broad-base diversification of entertainment options;
· downtown core of any city should be an alive, vibrant place for entertainment, business, cultural diversity, social gatherings which licensing should reflect;
· identified need for more diverse opportunities for socializing in safe, legal establishments;
· suggestion was made that billiard halls be considered for liquor licensing;
· when residential areas are formed adjacent entertainment centres, new residents shouldn't expect licensed operators in their neighbourhood to move out;
· recommend simplifying licensing process to enable operators to obtain licenses in their own communities;
· concern expressed regarding licensing billiard halls due their long hours of operation.

Tim Stevenson, MLA for Vancouver-Burrard, was in attendance on April 27, 1999, and noted he was pleased to see the City of Vancouver's efforts in regard to gathering public input. He also expressed, on behalf of Minister Waddell, the Province's intention to co-operate and work with municipalities as much as possible.

Councillor Kennedy thanked the speakers and advised their comments would be included in a package to be submitted to the Province's Review of Liquor License Regulations.

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The Commission adjourned at the following times on these two evenings:

April 27, 1999, 9:23 p.m.

May 5, 1999, 10:20 p.m.

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