This week city council voted unanimously to approve an update to the city's municipal alcohol policy.
City Clerk Steph Palmateer explained that the review began in October 2016 after some negative feedback, although he did not specify which events had people upset, or what the issues were.
"It was the result of complaints received with respect to some of our events that were held in 2016, and whether or not we were complying with the alcohol rules established by the province. Basically, we'd come to find that our alcohol policy was lacking. So since I believe October of 2016, we've been having continual meetings with representatives of AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario)" he said.
Palmateer said among other updates new definitions were added to include topics such as energy drinks, weddings, stag-and-does, and licensed security.
"We made clear the requirements associated with applying for municipal support of a special occasion permit. We made clear the expectations of any permit holders and the event worker responsibilities. We made the requirements for security more objective and consistent, and we've included enforcement provisions that were lacking in the current policy, which include among other things chargeable offences under the Provincial Offences act," said Palmateer.
Among the provisions for municipal support for issuing a special occasion permit is a minimum of $5 million worth of liability insurance, with the City of Timmins named as co-insured.
Councillor Noella Rinaldo said she had spoken with city Supervisor of Enforcement Services James Lefebvre about some of her concerns about the bylaw update.
"One of the concerns we've had at some of our larger events is that they were only allowed, in the past, to purchase four (beverage) tickets at a time. Which was hard when you're standing in line for half an hour, you're buying four tickets, now you have to go back and wait in line. I don't see that mentioned here, if there's a limit to how many tickets can be bought. So I'm hoping that is not part of the bylaw now. That you can come and buy the tickets you want. Keeping in mind its not always going to be the person behind the bar that is going to responsible to decide if this person is of age and still legal to be able to stand, to be able to drink," said Rinaldo.
In an effort to reduce over serving the city's new alcohol policy includes a clause for full refunds on unused beverage tickets. Andrew Autio for TimminsTodayAnother concern for Rinaldo was a clause to financially reimburse up to eight unused beverage tickets per person, after the event.
"I've never heard of that. That is how a lot of these service clubs make money, is you hope people go home with tickets in their pockets," she said.
Palmateer responded to Rinaldo.
"To answer your first question, there are no limits on the number of tickets you can sell an individual. But there still is a four drink maximum when you go to get your drinks. That is one of the changes that was required to make sure our policy was now in compliance with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. The fact that we have to refund tickets, that is also provincial legislation. People who buy those extra tickets now have the ability to go back and be given a refund if they were unable to use them," he said.
He elaborated that it is not only fair for the user, but would most likely reduce the amount of 'over-served' patrons at these events.
"We have an obligation not to promote alcohol abuse, and we have to offer the ability to reimburse, so we're not promoting over drinking at the end of the night. So what you don't want is someone going up who is already near the limit, and then they go 'oh I've got four tickets left', and is given four extra drinks, then they're trying to slam them all back at 2 a.m. when we're trying to kick them out," said Palmateer.
