Restrictions on alcohol hours has been in place in La Ronge since 2019. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

alcohol consumption

Bylaw amendment to increase liquor store hours in La Ronge passes first, second readings

May 12, 2023 | 5:12 PM

A bylaw amendment to change liquor stores hours in La Ronge to 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday to Saturday passed first and second readings this week.

At the April 25 regular meeting, council provided administration with direction to prepare a bylaw to revise the permissible hours of operation from the current hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays and statutory holidays.

The second reading passed on May 9 with La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski, along with councillors Terry Hunt, Matt Klassen and Jordan McPhail voting in favour, while deputy-mayor Abby Besharah and councillors Viviana Ruiz Arcand and Ryan Veteri were opposed.

“When you are voting, I would like you to consider what you are voting for. I know there was talk around tourists, but that’s a specific demographic,” Ruiz Arcand said.

“We have an alcohol problem in our community and I think it is hard to acknowledge that, but that’s what the stats tell us. I’m all for business, and this is nothing against business or the individuals involved, it’s about the bigger picture overall. I’m sorry, but I will be voting against the bylaw tonight.”

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The third reading of the bylaw could come as soon as the next regular council meeting on May 23. Before that occurs, however, Ruiz Arcand noted it could be beneficial to once again have the Community Alcohol Management Plan (CAMP) committee present to council.

In response, Hordyski explained he felt CAMP had already provided a good and fairly extensive presentation at the April 25 meeting. He said if the group has more data, they can share it with administration and it will be included in the next information package for council.

“I would disagree Mayor Hordyski, because if it had been enough information, people around this table would not be voting in favour of the bylaw, so obviously there wasn’t enough information,” Ruiz Arcand said.

Hunt told Ruiz Arcand that he disagreed with her statement.

“I voted the way I wanted to vote and I’m not changing my vote. It’s time to move forward here,” he said.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno