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I really don't know which side of this issue I fall on, as I see advantages in some ways and disadvantages in others.
Toronto Star- Province offers open bar (hours)
ROBERT BENZIE
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF
As the Liquor Control Board of Ontario announces record profits, the province is giving municipalities the power to extend drinking hours.
After the liquor monopoly revealed yesterday that it made $1.2 billion on sales of $3.6 billion last year, the Liberal government coincidentally tabled Municipal Act amendments that will eventually allow communities across Ontario to keep their bars open later than 2 a.m.
The legislative changes will give municipalities the same authority that the city of Toronto will have from Jan. 1.
But before late-night carousers residing outside the provincial capital begin popping champagne, Municipal Affairs Minister John Gerretsen has some sobering news.
"We do not intend to proclaim that (section of the bill dealing with longer bar hours) for a couple of years to see what happens in the city of Toronto, quite frankly," said Gerretsen. "We realize there may be some interest in it, particularly by neighbouring municipalities, depending upon what the city of Toronto does in that regard," he said, noting city council will be responsible for setting bar hours in 2007. "We intend not to proclaim it for two years, but it may be less or it may be a longer period of time."
The amendments also give municipalities more control over their affairs, but they won't be granted the new taxing power that Toronto has on alcohol, tobacco, and sports and entertainment tickets.
"We have not included the fiscal tools that the city of Toronto has," said Gerretsen. "We felt it was better to see what the outcome in the city of Toronto was going to be."
Still, Roger Anderson, chair of Durham Region and head of the Association of Ontario Municipalities, welcomed the revamped act.
"Municipalities are capable of making their own decisions without being governed by the province of Ontario. To be able to make our own rules is an appropriate thing," said Anderson, noting that setting bar and store hours is "more local than it is provincial."
The changes were announced as the LCBO, the world's largest liquor retailer, touted an $85 million increase in profits over last year. LCBO president and chief operating officer Bob Peter credited Mother Nature and the end of the National Hockey League lockout for the bonanza.
"A hot summer, the return of NHL hockey, record holiday sales and good expense and inventory management all contributed to higher year-over-year sales," Peter said in a statement.
Beer was flying off LCBO shelves, with Ontario microbreweries' sales up a staggering 41.9 per cent and imported ales, lagers and stouts up by 10.1 per cent.
In other good news for drinkers yesterday, the province announced $10 million over three years in support of VQA wineries.
"Our support for the wine and grape sector is part of our overall strategy to build a stronger, more vibrant and more prosperous Ontario," said Small Business Minister Harinder Takhar.
With files From Kerry Gillespie
Toronto Star- Province offers open bar (hours)
ROBERT BENZIE
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF
As the Liquor Control Board of Ontario announces record profits, the province is giving municipalities the power to extend drinking hours.
After the liquor monopoly revealed yesterday that it made $1.2 billion on sales of $3.6 billion last year, the Liberal government coincidentally tabled Municipal Act amendments that will eventually allow communities across Ontario to keep their bars open later than 2 a.m.
The legislative changes will give municipalities the same authority that the city of Toronto will have from Jan. 1.
But before late-night carousers residing outside the provincial capital begin popping champagne, Municipal Affairs Minister John Gerretsen has some sobering news.
"We do not intend to proclaim that (section of the bill dealing with longer bar hours) for a couple of years to see what happens in the city of Toronto, quite frankly," said Gerretsen. "We realize there may be some interest in it, particularly by neighbouring municipalities, depending upon what the city of Toronto does in that regard," he said, noting city council will be responsible for setting bar hours in 2007. "We intend not to proclaim it for two years, but it may be less or it may be a longer period of time."
The amendments also give municipalities more control over their affairs, but they won't be granted the new taxing power that Toronto has on alcohol, tobacco, and sports and entertainment tickets.
"We have not included the fiscal tools that the city of Toronto has," said Gerretsen. "We felt it was better to see what the outcome in the city of Toronto was going to be."
Still, Roger Anderson, chair of Durham Region and head of the Association of Ontario Municipalities, welcomed the revamped act.
"Municipalities are capable of making their own decisions without being governed by the province of Ontario. To be able to make our own rules is an appropriate thing," said Anderson, noting that setting bar and store hours is "more local than it is provincial."
The changes were announced as the LCBO, the world's largest liquor retailer, touted an $85 million increase in profits over last year. LCBO president and chief operating officer Bob Peter credited Mother Nature and the end of the National Hockey League lockout for the bonanza.
"A hot summer, the return of NHL hockey, record holiday sales and good expense and inventory management all contributed to higher year-over-year sales," Peter said in a statement.
Beer was flying off LCBO shelves, with Ontario microbreweries' sales up a staggering 41.9 per cent and imported ales, lagers and stouts up by 10.1 per cent.
In other good news for drinkers yesterday, the province announced $10 million over three years in support of VQA wineries.
"Our support for the wine and grape sector is part of our overall strategy to build a stronger, more vibrant and more prosperous Ontario," said Small Business Minister Harinder Takhar.
With files From Kerry Gillespie