A Southern Alberta town that has historically been known to be a dry community for over a century has amended a bylaw around its liquor licensing.
On Tuesday, Cardston Town Council passed the amendment 5-2, allowing for class A and class B liquor licences.
Under a class A licence, sit-down restaurants primarily serving food can offer liquor sales, but it does not include the off-sale of alcohol in to-go orders.
A class B liquor licence applies to recreational facilities, which would mainly apply to the golf course and Agridome.
Melvin Easthope, a member of the Lee Creek Golf Course committee, spoke in favour of the amendment.
“What we’ve noticed as the Golf committee is that the trash cans are already filled with alcohol containers, so it’s already being used, it’s already happening, whether the public thinks so or not. So, I would prefer that we are able to legislate this,” he said.
“It also allows us to regulate the sale of alcohol as well, potentially limit some of the dangers of alcohol abuse on our golf course.”
The bylaw would still prohibit lounges, beverage rooms, nightclubs, and liquor stores anywhere in town.
Before a business can get a liquor licence, it must first secure all other permissions, including development approval, and business licensing.
If a business is in direct violation of the conditions in place, not only will its liquor licence be revoked by the AGLC, but the town can also revoke its business licence.
Despite that, Cardston Chamber President, Shelley Ouellette, believes the decision to go ahead with the amendment is an epic surprise.
“There are a lot of businesses here that would like to see change. Not only to sell a business but to increase revenue and keep people in town,” she said. “That’s the hardest part right now, is that we don’t have that opportunity. We’re pushing people away instead of inviting them to come back, it’s not fun.”
Ouellette added, “With the liquor control board handling all those regulations, we shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”
According to Cardston council, the decision to make the amendment on the land use bylaw was not an easy one as councillors had much to take into consideration.
On May 29, the same day as the provincial election, the town held a Vote of Electors, asking residents about the potential passing of Bylaw 1647K, allowing limited liquor sales in town.
In total, 925 eligible voters cast a non-binding vote to help the council understand how the community felt about the proposed change.
Overall, 494 people (53 per cent) were in favour of the amendment allowing limited liquor sales, whereas 431 people (47 per cent) were against the proposal.
Mayor of Cardston Maggie Kronen says she knew this decision was imminent.
“I could feel the tide changing for sure for the past two to three years, I sensed it,” said Kronen.
“Speaking with people in the community there was a desire for openness, for more inclusion, not only for the business’s sake but for the community’s sake.
“Irrelevant of how I feel personally, I will accept the result of the plebiscite as being binding to me in the way I will vote.”
On June 27, a public hearing was held but three members of council were unable to attend the meeting, which halted any motion on the bylaw.
On June 27, a public hearing was held but three members of council were unable to attend the meeting, which halted any motion on the bylaw.
On Tuesday, dozens of residents attended the second public hearing, voicing support and disapproval of the amendment. All councillors were in attendance, allowing for the second and third readings to go ahead.
Council took both the non-binding vote and vocal submissions into consideration, but ultimately, in a 5-2 vote, decided to move forward with the amendment.
Although applications for liquor licenses can be submitted to Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) starting in November, a lot will hinge on the first application.
Because Cardston has never issued a license, the first one will require both AGLC and council approval.
If it’s rejected, AGLC won’t accept any more applications for at least three years.
If it is accepted, future applications can be approved by AGLC alone.
It’s believed the change will benefit local businesses, provide more choice to those in town, and create a more inclusive community.