Yellowknife (July 09/03) - Instead of selling hot dogs on Franklin Avenue this summer, Pat Papineau is trying to sell his hot dog cart.

Pat Papineau loads his hot dog stand into a trailer as he prepares to move from Yellowknife because he can't get a vending licence. - Cheryl Robinson/NNSL photos

When Papineau went to City Hall for a business licence he was shocked to discover the city doesn't licence new downtown street vendors.

"Apparently there has been a bylaw against it since around 1991," said Papineau.

Papineau is now trying to sell his hot dog cart and is moving from Yellowknife. Selling hot dogs during the downtown bar rush was going to be his main income this summer.

"I think their biggest problem was that business owners were complaining about losing business to vendors," said Papineau. "And I think that's ridiculous."

Papineau said he thinks the amount of business the downtown receives during the summer is enough to support both vendors and restaurants.

"There is no reason to let business owners pressure out vendors," Papineau said.

Glenn Peterson, manager of city business licensing, said the city is not allowing new vendors downtown between 44 Street to 54 Street, and 49 Avenue to 52 Avenue, unless it's a special occasion.

But there are currently three vendors allowed in the downtown area.

The three are only permitted because they were selling before the bylaw came into effect in 1990 and have renewed their licences.

"But new vendors aren't allowed," said Peterson.

Peterson said vendors who place their carts directly in front of a similar venue will "definitely take away," from the taxpaying business owner.

"If we were to open this up they would be lined up from one end of the street to the other," he said.

Peterson said at one point he had a list of 15 people trying to apply for a street vending licence to serve downtown.

The limited parking downtown is also playing a factor in the ban on new street vendors.

Peterson said street vendors have been known to put their carts in a parking stall and plug the meter only when bylaw officers were seen ticketing.

"That is the only taxation they are paying. They are creating competition and only plugging the meter," said Peterson.

Peterson said the bylaw will be up for renewal next year.

After the bylaw is renewed even the three currently permitted vendors could be restricted from downtown.

"During the bylaw review they will have the opportunity to speak their case, but after it's reviewed they will have to comply," said Peterson.