Councillor changes mind: One kilometre between liquor stores now a bylaw

KAMLOOPS – If you thought Kamloops City Council's attempt to regulate where liquor vendors may locate was a done deal three weeks ago, think again. Liquor stores in the city won't be able to do business within one kilometer of each other after all.

Three weeks ago, the concept was defeated at public hearing. Now it's law after one councillor, Pat Wallace, changed her vote.

The idea belongs to Coun. Marg Spina. She proposed creating a one kilometre rule between liquor vendors, concerned the province now allows B.C. wines to be sold in grocery stores. The original motion went to public hearing, July 28, where it was defeated.

Coun. Pat Wallace changed her mind, and her vote, three weeks after the public hearing. She said today in council she “left the hearing very uncomfortable.”

She first voted against it, thinking it was “protectionist,” she said. Wallace now says her vote only created a different sort of protectionism this time in favour of grocery stores.

Wallace asked her fellow councillors to officially reconsider the motion and, therefore, revote today.

Originally, Mayor Peter Milobar abstained from the vote because of a conflict of interest; today he was out of town. Council had originally been split on the issue four to four and was defeated.

All councillors voted the same but Wallace.

Councillors for the one kilometre rule: Donovan Cavers, Tina Lange, Marg Spina, Dennis Walsh and Wallace.

Councillors against the one kilometre rule: Ken Christian, Dieter Dudy and Arjun Singh

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