Hay River (Oct 18/04) - Two Hay River drinking establishments have been ordered by the NWT Liquor Licencing Board to temporarily close their doors.

At both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Caribou Lounge, patrons were spotted carrying alcoholic beverages outside the licensed premises.

By allowing it to happen, the organizations violated a Liquor Act regulation requiring they take "reasonable precautions" to ensure liquor sold on the premises is not taken outside.

The Caribou was fined $1,000 and ordered to close for four days, from 10 a.m. on Nov. 1 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 5.

On the evening of June 5 and in the early morning of June 6, an RCMP constable observed three instances of patrons outside the premises holding glasses or bottles.

Caribou license-holder Jeff Brockway argued that it didn't prove the lounge had not taken "reasonable" precautions, as prescribed in the regulations.

"We are attempting to do what we can within reason," he said.

It is virtually impossible to prevent everyone from stepping outside with drinks, said Brockway, noting that staff members can't legally search anyone.

He said that, ever since the WCB's workplace smoking ban came into effect in May, there's been a steady stream of traffic in and out the bar most nights.

"Since that time, our doors swing an average of 100 more times a night," he said.

Canada Day jugs

The Legion was not fined but was ordered closed for three days -- from 3 p.m. on Nov. 1 until 10 a.m. on Nov. 4.

On July 1, a liquor inspector witnessed a half-dozen people with jugs of beer lounging about outside the Legion.

A Legion spokesperson told the board it was common for drinkers to sit outside every July 1, which is Canada Day.

Legion member Ross Ullathorne, until recently a member of the licensing board, asked for leniency, noting the Legion is in a precarious financial situation.