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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Boston Pizza has lost its liquor licence for three days for serving liquor to an intoxicated person.

The suspension, imposed by the NWT liquor licensing board, will last from 11 a.m. June 21 until 2 a.m. June 24. The restaurant was also fined $1,000 for allowing an intoxicated person to enter or remain in a licensed premise.

The board's decision was given following a hearing Friday at the Yellowknife Inn.

Erin Delaney, legal counsel for liquor enforcement, read an agreed statement of facts. She said that on March 24 liquor inspectors Kerry Nicholson and Frank Yakimchuk observed a man, who smelled strongly of alcohol, fumbling with his debit card as he tried to pay his bill.

Later, they saw the patron nearly fall as he left. The inspectors also witnessed an intoxicated man being served two pints of beer. The waitress said that the patron was aggressive toward her and she was fearful about cutting him off.

Boston Pizza fired the waitress the following day.

The liquor licence holder, Kirk Macleod, said that, since the incidents, staff at the restaurant have started monitoring consumption in the lounge more closely.

"We are working on this issue day in and day out," Macleod told the board at the hearing.

Boston Pizza has been fined for violating these same sections of the NWT Liquor Act previously. About four months ago, the restaurant received a fine of $500 and was given a one-day liquor licence suspension.

The liquor board also heard charges against Twist Resto Lounge last week. The business was charged for selling or serving liquor to an intoxicated person and for allowing an intoxicated person to enter or remain in a licensed premise. But, the board ruled that there was not enough evidence to convict the business on either count and no penalties were laid.

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