Changes to special occasion liquor licence permitting processes caused some confusion for Powell River Regional District’s board of directors.
During the new business component of the Thursday, April 23, meeting, directors were considering an application that had come from Texada Island. The recommendation was to endorse a special occasion liquor licence for the Texada Fundraising Dance hosted by Dave Murphy and scheduled for May 16 at Texada Community Hall.
In reviewing the application before the board, Patrick Brabazon, regional district board chair and Electoral Area A director, said he thought the province was making it easier to apply for special occasion liquor licencing.
Brenda Paquin, manager of administrative services, said the regional district had to provide endorsement for this particular application because the event will be held in a building owned by the regional district.
It was outlined to the board that in the Powell River area, since April 20, special occasion liquor licences can be applied for online as well as at BC Liquor Stores, and after May 4, they can only be applied for online.
Director Stan Gisborne, Electoral Area B, asked if the regional district would still be able to comment on applications after they can only be submitted online.
Paquin said because the event before the board is being held on regional district property, there must be regional board support for the application.
The board unanimously endorsed the motion for the special occasion liquor licence.
The province’s Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, part of the ministry of justice, is responsible for granting special occasion licenses. More information is available online.
