Layoffs expected in La Ronge as liquor bylaw likely to come into effect
Job losses are expected as a new bylaw to control the sale of alcohol in La Ronge is likely to come into effect by New Year’s Day.
In January alone, Northland Motor Hotel Manager Tania Colbert said her business will lose 299 operating hours, which will force her to layoff employees and cut back on paycheques. In total, she noted hours lost for both the bar and cold beer and wine store will work out to 3,588 hours per year. Just down the road at La Ronge Hotel and Suites, similar hours will be eliminated as the business runs a lounge, bar and off-sale. Kostas Family Restaurant owner Carmen Vancoughnett also estimates her business will be out 520 operating hours per year.
“This isn’t a solution to alcoholism,” Colbert said. “They need to get to the root cause and they were given ideas on how to do it and decided not to start that way.”
Colbert is against the limited hours for liquor establishments La Ronge Council plans to put in place. She noted it will harm families as there will be less work in a town with a high unemployment rate already. The new bylaw, Colbert believes, is over-reaching and shed criticized how seven people can make such a drastic decision on behalf of thousands of residents.