Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Mar 04/02) - Andrew Riendeau's wants to keep his arcade open until 2 a.m. on weekends and before school holidays.

City councillors seem to like the idea, and a new bylaw to meet his wishes is in the works. First reading passed last week and the public will have a chance to comment at the March 12 council session.

In January, the bylaw department received a complaint about Riendeau keeping the arcade open until 6:30 a.m. Under the present bylaw, this type of business can't remain open past midnight.

Riendeau asked city council on Feb. 13 to make an exception on holidays. He's willing to bar children under 13 after 10 p.m.

Previously, another Iqaluit arcade operator kept his business, which catered to children, open 24 hours. Council felt the business was too disruptive to children and created the current regulations.

Some councillors said they need feedback from parents before deciding. But Coun. Chris Wilson said the city shouldn't take a paternalistic, heavy-handed approach.

"People should be looking after their children and I don't put expectations on the business community to do that," he said. Wilson noted Riendeau keeps the arcade smoke-free and closes it during school hours so kids don't skip school.

"Let's give the entrepreneur a chance and see how he runs his business," he said.

Wilson added that kids who stay out late often have problems at home. "When they leave the arcade, they don't go home. That's an effect -- they're on the street."

The new bylaw still needs to pass three readings at council.