Confusion abounds as Alberta events scramble for liquor curfew exemption
Business owners and event organizers say new provincial health restrictions – and subsequent Alberta Health exemptions – have led to a "messy" weekend in the province.
On Friday, Premier Jason Kenney reimplemented some pandemic measures after COVID-19 cases shot up in August.
One of those measures was a 10 p.m. alcohol service curfew on licensed establishments.
Saturday morning, word broke that multiple rodeos in rural Alberta had been granted exemptions from that rule. Later in the day, exemptions had been given to 14 more venues.
One business owner involved referred to the situation as "a disaster."
STAMPEDE SERVICE
Events in Ponoka, Airdrie and Cochrane were given a liquor service green light due to, according to an Alberta Health spokesperson, "the (events') importance to the local economy and community."
The three rodeos were all listed as "open-air" gatherings.
Two other events in Innisfail and Benalto posted on social media that they too received exemptions, but Alberta Health says that wasn't the case.
When reached by phone Saturday evening, the mayor of Ponoka told CTV News that he hadn't yet received a formal exemption, but that the stampede would be proceeding as usual because it was a special event and because a curfew would be "impossible" to enforce.
Rick Bonnett believed Friday's rules had "grey area" that was tough to follow.
He also said he had spoken to multiple, unspecified MLAs about the curfew.
It's unclear when the original three exemptions were granted.
PRIDE ORGANIZERS SCRAMBLE
When news of the exemptions reached Calgary Pride organizers, the situation shifted.
Those hosting events at participating venues told CTV News they too believed an exemption was warranted, but hadn't been offered one from the province.
Just before 9 p.m., that changed.
Alberta Health reached out to Pride to grant a late alcohol curfew exemption for Saturday and Sunday at 14 Calgary venues.
CTV News was given a copy of that exemption.
Dickens, Twisted Element, Broken City, The Ship and Anchor, Infiniti Ultra Lounge, Civic Tavern, Pin Bar, Ol' Beautiful Brewery, The Radiant, Pure Pride Entertainment, Bar Patricia, The Backlot, Texas Lounge and The Palace were all included in the ruling signed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Not all of the venues are open in 2021 or hosting events, but organizers said they were included because all 14 had held previous Pride-related gatherings.
SOME VENUES NOT PARTICIPATING
Some venues granted the Pride exemption say they couldn't - or wouldn't - take part in the extended hours.
By the time the exemption came down Saturday night, some say they were unable to host guests later than 11 p.m. on such short notice because they had already called off staff or canceled their entertainment.
Pride organizer Elliot Rae Cormier says other venues couldn't even be reached in time to get the word across.
"We are hopeful that this makes a difference for Sunday, Sept. 5, which is the traditional Calgary Pride Parade day," Cormier wrote to CTV News.
Dickens owner Chris Hewitt said his pub will not be participating in the late night service.
"I had made my position pretty clear that I was frustrated with the other exemptions that had been given out," he said. "When I am then given out an exemption myself, is it really fair to the rest of the industry?"
Hewitt called the original restriction timing disappointing.
"We based a lot of our reopening around this Pride weekend because we've been closed for most of 18 months," he said.
Performers say they'll also feel a financial hit from the choice.
"Pride is our biggest time of the year," Cabaret Calgary's Karla Marx said. "It would be like shutting down retail in December.
"It's either deliberate or it's incompetence. And it's really hard for the queer community to feel this way."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.