ABOVE: Calgary City Council voted in favor of an alcohol ban on Monday. Jill Croteau Reports.
CALGARY – Following weeks of debate, city councillors have voted to ban drinking at city hall.
The new policy comes after Nenshi said he received complaints of council members being drunk and using illicit substances.
An exception was made if councillors are hosting community functions.
“The rule is that people may not be impaired during business hours,” explained Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “For councilors of course, business hours extend well into the evenings and weekends. It doesn’t mean you can’t have a glass of wine at your community wine and cheese, but it does mean that you can’t be impaired.”
The policy passed by a vote of ten to four.
One of the councillors who voted against the policy is Ward 4’s Sean Chu, who doesn’t even drink. However, he said he didn’t endorse the ban because he didn’t feel it was necessary.
“We are 15 responsible adults,” said Chu. “We are operating $4 billion corporation… if you want have a drink, it’s okay.”
Nenshi alleged some councillors have served and consumed booze in their offices over the years and on occasion, drank too much at public events.
“Allegations and innuendo,” complained Chu of Nenshi’s accusations. “The damage is huge because my reputation and integrity is everything I have.”
The rules will mirror the same substance policies as administrators and City of Calgary employees.
Councillors also paved the way to hire an integrity commissioner that would deal with complaints made about council members.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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