Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 13/03) - The Liquor Licensing Board will consider cutting bar hours and reducing seat capacity in an effort to reduce drunkenness in the downtown core.

"There is a lot we can do that falls within the mandate of the board," said chairperson John Simpson.

"Reducing hours and the number of seats are possibilities."

But Simpson said the board won't make any decisions until after a public meeting Wednesday night at the Yellowknife Inn.

"There is clearly concern about drunkenness in the downtown area, so we're asking everybody to come out and discuss the issue."

Nearly a dozen businesses and social groups received letters from the board asking them to attend the 7:30 meeting.

The Chamber of Commerce plans to make a presentation urging the board not to restrict hours of operation or seating capacity.

"We're hoping to enlighten the board about the contribution the hospitality industry makes to the city," said chamber president David McPherson.

He said members of the business community are worried bars are being unfairly scapegoated by the board.

"The problems downtown are much greater and much broader than drinking in licensed establishments."

The responsibility to clean up downtown lies with government and not the business community, said Mcpherson.

"It doesn't make sense to go after legitimate and responsible businessmen. What we need is an increased police presence downtown and... more alcohol treatment programs."

The board is also considering two new liquor license applications -- one from the Diner and the other from the Gold Range Cafe -- but they don't plan to discuss them at Wednesday's meeting. "We advertised the two new applications in the newspaper, but nobody responded," said Simpson.

However, the board will reserve judgement on the matter until later this week.

"We'll see what people have to say."

Simpson hoped Wednesday's meeting would also give people a better understanding of the liquor board's responsibilities.

"We can only do what falls under our mandate... and that is regulating the consumption of alcohol in licensed establishments.

"We can't control policing or other things like that. But if there is something that we can do to limit alcohol abuse, we will."