Grocery stores can now get into the booze business in the city of Coquitlam.
Council voted Monday in favour of changes to city liquor regulations that would allow for the provincially-permitted store-within-a-store model, a decision that wraps up a year-long debate on the issue that led to two public hearings.
One issue was that the bylaw would reduce separation distances between liquor stores to 300 m, although provincial regulations that override the municipal laws maintain a 1-km separation distance (these separation distances do no apply to wine stores).
A handful of liquor store owners said they fear the province will reduce its separation distance, allowing more competition that could put pressure on the smaller retailers, many of which rely on the profits to support their pub operations.
“We are not against competition and fair practices,” said Brian Coomer, the owner of the John B Pub on Austin Avenue, during one of the two public hearings. “What we are against is destructive competition where rules are slanted or uneven.”
But in a report to council, staff said they would be monitoring any changes made to the provincial liquor rules and would keep council informed of any reduce separation distances. They noted that changing the separation distances would mean scrapping the bylaw and going back to a third public hearing.
Still, council’s vote was far from unanimous.
Coun. Mae Reid said the separation distances do not go far enough, preferring instead to keep them in line with the 1-km provincial regulations.
“Everyone wanted 1 km,” she said. “I don’t know why we won’t keep to it.”
Mayor Richard Stewart noted that most of the people who spoke during the two public hearings were liquor store owners or employees in the industry. He said he had not heard concerns from residents outside of the liquor industry.
“I am not uncomfortable going forward with this,” he said. “I think the market will determine where and how many.”
@gmckennaTC
