Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 27/06) - Booze on Sunday and other holidays is among the recommendations in a report on the NWT Liquor Act.

Released this week, the review was commissioned by Finance Minister Floyd Roland to create laws "more flexible and better suited to the needs and priorities of Northwest Territories residents."

Pierre Garsonnin, manager of the Black Knight pub, pours a draft beer. A consultant's report recommends Sunday hours for bars. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo RECOMMENDATIONS Sunday and holiday opening where permitted by community bylaw. Allow diners to bring wine to a licensed restaurant. Allow bingos and casinos in bars during off-hours. Allow home-made wine and beer to be transported and judged as part of a special event. Increase bootlegging penalties to a maximum of $25,000 and two years in jail. Finance minister will take over inspection, enforcement and direction of liquor inspectors.

The report also recommends allowing patrons to bring their own wine to restaurants, eliminating permits to make homemade beer and wine, and tougher penalties for bootleggers.

The NWT Liquor Licensing Board allowed drinking establishments to open for business for up to six Sundays a year in 2004, but Bob Ross, owner of Jose Loco's, doesn't want the extra days.

"My staff needs their days off too," he said.

"If all you're going to do is hire more staff there's no guarantees that your sales would be reflective of your costs anyways."

City councillor Blake Lyons' first instinct would be to reject Sunday opening, but he said city council would likely hold public hearings on the question.

"I would insist on it because I can see all the potential of being something akin to the debate we had on (the smoking ban)," said Lyons.

Lloyd Lush, president of the Yellowknife Royal Canadian Legion, liked a recommendation to allow gaming events on days when the club bar is closed.

That would help raise much needed revenue when the club hosts its Sunday bingo game, he said. Right now, the upstairs portion of the club is off-limits during bingo because NWT liquor laws forbid gaming in a licensed establishment.

"That's excellent because we're losing a lot of people," said Lush.

"Hopefully we can get more people into our facility because we only have enough room downstairs for 150 people," said Lush.

Dave McPherson, who spoke on behalf of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce at a public forum held by the review steering committee last October, said he has mixed feelings about the report.

He said the hospitality industry will be pleased by the call for fewer restrictions on bars and restaurants, but said the report fails to address the "antiquated" NWT Liquor Commission.

The commission is responsible for distribution of liquor within the NWT, but McPherson said it charges too much in taxes, and doesn't provide enough product choices to retailers.

"You can do away with the liquor commission," said McPherson.

"They're a middleman. There's really no need for them to be there."

The report makes no recommendations on restructuring the commission.

Roland could not be reached for comment, but said in a press release that his department is accepting comments from the public on the report until Feb. 28. After that, government will begin making draft amendments to the Liquor Act, said Roland.