Liquor Licence Renewal - Cheater's Tavern

(2087 Yonge Street) (North Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council advise the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario that the issuance of a liquor licence with respect to Cheater's Tavern, 2087 Yonge Street, is not in the public interest having regard to the needs and wishes of the residents of the municipality.

The Toronto Community Council submits the following motion (June 10, 1999) from Councillor Walker:

"WHEREAS the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will be considering an application for renewal of the liquor licence for Cheater's Tavern, 2087 Yonge Street, at an upcoming hearing; and

WHEREAS there have been ongoing problems with Cheaters over the years including complaints due to noise, drunkenness and drugs; and

WHEREAS businesses and residents in the area suffer as a result of the on-going problems; and

WHEREAS it is the desire of the community to see the North Toronto area remain family oriented; and

WHEREAS the environment created by such places as Cheaters is in direct conflict with this goal; and

WHEREAS in 1996 the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned a 1994 ruling by Mr. Justice Gordon Hachborn who described the actions of lap dancing as "innocuous" and in keeping with community standards for what is permissible; and

WHEREAS this Ontario Appeal Court found the owners of Cheaters Tavern guilty of allowing an indecent theatrical performance (Lap Dancing); and

WHEREAS there is no justification nor redeeming arguments to issue a new liquor licence for this address; and

WHEREAS subsection 6(2)(h) of the Liquor Licence Act provides that an applicant is entitled to be issued a licence to sell liquor except if the licence is not in the public interest having regard to the needs and wishes of the residents of the municipality in which the premises are located; and

WHEREAS there have been objections to the issuance of a new liquor licence; and

WHEREAS section 7.1 of Regulation 719 under the Liquor Licence Act states that, in the absence of receiving submissions to the contrary, the Board shall consider a resolution of he council of the municipality, in which are located the premises for which a person makes an application to sell liquor or holds a licence to sell liquor, as proof of the needs and wishes of the residents of the municipality for the purposes of clause 6(2)(h) of the Act;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

City Council advise the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario that the issuance of a liquor licence with respect to Cheater's Tavern, 2087 Yonge Street, is not in the public interest having regard to the needs and wishes of the residents of the municipality.