Nation 2 Nation News

By

Angela Lavallee

 

CURVE LAKE – A liquor license is in the works for a Curve Lake business owner.

Terry Rose, part owner of Terry’s Gas and Variety in Curve Lake is looking to branch out and has requested to obtain a liquor license for his new business venture. If granted, a liquor license will be the first for the First Nation to have alcohol brought onto the territory on a regular delivery basis. But before the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) can receive the application, a band council resolution needs to be submitted, says Ray Kahnert, Senior Advisor, Communications for the AGCO.

“We have not yet received an application for a new business located in Curve Lake. There is a lot to the application that the business owner needs as in permits. After it’s submitted we review it and the decision would take twelve to fifteen weeks. However, the AGCO would require a letter of support of the community and the band council,” says Kahnert.

The new facility will have a restaurant, bowling alley and family orientated activities, and a bar if a liquor license is granted.

“This is taking everything I’ve got. If I don’t get a liquor license this new adventure will be much harder to sustain, but I will go ahead,” says Rose. “But ideally, it’s about promoting responsible drinking.”

In order for Rose to be considered for a liquor license, Chief and Council are leaving it up to community members to decide whether it’s a good idea to have a full-time liquor establishment on First Nation land. How Curve Lake Chief and Council plan to do that is unclear to Rose.

Kahnert says Rose must provide letters of support from the fire chief, building inspectors, and local health authorities. He also needs to submit a criminal background check. “The application is fairly straightforward. If all the particulars are in place then the AGCO doesn’t see a problem with issuing a new business license to a First Nation person operating on the reserve,” says Kahnert.

There are two instances where alcohol is delivered to First Nation territories on a regular delivery schedule. Casino Rama and Great Blue Heron have held liquor licenses for over two decades but Kahnert says even though those business are entirely different from the one Mr. Rose is doing, but the fact still remains that alcohol is delivered to the First Nation reserve, yet unlike businesses off the reserve, those licenses are held by different entities. Other private business owners on First Nation reserves in Ontario such as Alderville, Georgina Island and Six Nations have obtained a liquor license in the past and have gone through the same process as Mr. Rose is currently.

Rose took to his Facebook page for an online conversation about his new venture and to get some community input on him obtaining a license. Former Anishnabek Police Sergeant Kim Coppaway posted a comment that the community needs a venue like the one Rose is proposing.

Band councillor Deborah Jacobs said it’s a wonderful idea for the community.

Rose says this new adventure will create jobs and bring revenue back to the community. “We need to keep our dollars here, in our community,” added Rose. “If all goes good, I hope to open the doors by spring of 2018.”