By Derek Cornet

Provincial liquor store in La Ronge to open Sundays to meet holiday demand

Nov 20, 2018 | 4:00 PM

Due to high customer demand during the holidays, the provincial liquor store in La Ronge will be open two Sundays next month.

“Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority recently consulted with La Ronge Town Council regarding its plans to open the La Ronge liquor store on Sunday, Dec. 23 and Sunday, Dec. 30,” wrote Communications Manager David Morris in an email to larongeNOW. “Town Council was supportive of the request. To meet the anticipated customer demand, the La Ronge store will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Dec. 23 and from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Dec. 30.”

Based on experience, Morris stated customer demand is very high on the two days preceding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in all parts of the province. Both those days fall on a Tuesday this year and liquor stores in Saskatchewan will be closed for those statutory holidays. Following the conclusion of the busy holiday season, Morris noted SLGA will continue its practice of not opening the La Ronge stores on Sundays.

Back in May, SLGA sent a letter to La Ronge council asking if they wished to keep the store closed on Sundays throughout the summer, which they chose to do so. At the time, Morris said council expressed concerns related to the responsible use of beverage alcohol and other issues relating to public safety. With the store set to open two Sundays during the holidays, Coun. Matt Klassen said it was SLGA’s choice to open or not.

“We said, essentially, it was their decision to make until such time the bylaws are changed and then they would have to follow those regulations,” he said.

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Klassen noted council expects to have a liquor and cannabis bylaw in full effect by Jan. 1, 2019, adding readings of the bylaw should begin at the next two regular council meetings. Some restrictions include reducing hours of operations for liquor establishments on Sundays and statutory holidays, closing off-sale liquor stores and bars earlier throughout the week, and requiring bars to advertise the availability of safe transportation.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno