ABOYNE – Almost 100 years since a prohibition on alcohol in Ontario was lifted, policies from that time period are causing a hangover for the Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA).
At an information, heritage and seniors’ committee meeting on Wednesday afternoon, WCMA and Wellington Place administrator Jana Burns told the committee the museum is looking to get a permanent liquor licence rather than having to get a special event permit for weddings and other events but hit an unexpected roadblock.
“When we approached the township seeking approval for a liquor licence, they brought to our attention that the WCMA is situated in a ‘dry’ area, as the former Township of Nichol is considered ‘dry’ as the prohibition status has not changed,” Burns said via email.
The Township of Nichol is one of five former municipalities that make up the current Township of Centre Wellington. Burns said in 1981 there was a motion to change the township’s dry status but this process was never completed or brought to a vote.
A section of the Liquor License and Control Act, 2019, stated a prohibition on issuing a licence to sell liquor continues in a municipality or part of a municipality until the prohibition is lifted.
However, the act also allows for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to grant an exemption and therefore grant a permanent liquor licence in a dry township.
“A request for the identical exemption under the now repealed Liquor Licence Act was successfully made by council for the township in 2002 with regard to the Grand River Raceway,” Burns said.
Burns said the WCMA would benefit from obtaining a liquor licence as the museum expands its scope of programming and physical space.
“We wish to continue working alongside the great work of the township in widening our reach to new demographics, expanding the types of events we can host and increasing the value to the community,” Burns said.
Committee members were puzzled by this situation as Coun. Doug Breen jokingly remarked “I’d like to point out that I’ve seen no signs of sobriety in Nichol township.”
Warden Andy Lennox asked if the county is working with the township to resolve this issue which Burns confirmed.
In an email, Burns said the request needs to be made to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario by the Township of Centre Wellington.
