CENTRAL MANITOULIN—What is usually a mundane and pro forma motion to declare summer gathering events as being a municipally significant community festival took an unusual turn when Central Manitoulin Councillor John Bisaillon raised a question about the expanded liquor sales area contained in the motion.
Moved by Councillor Dale Scott and seconded by Councillor Derek Stephens, the motion in question read: “That the weekend of June 29 through July 2 2023 for Homecoming Weekend and Manitoulin Ribfest be declared a Municipally Significant Community Festival and that the Central Manitoulin Lions Club be permitted to expand the area where alcohol can be consumed to include the B Ball Field and further that this event be held in accordance with all applicable laws, AGCO regulations and municipal policies.”
Councillor Bisaillon focussed much of his concerns over the difficulty of discerning the age difference between an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old and wanted more information on how the Lions Club would be providing security for the event and whether the area was fenced off properly.
Councillor Scott noted that the motion was not a change from the past couple of events where the alcohol area had already been expanded. He also pointed out that the Lions have not had any issues at the ball tournament and that the area is fenced off as per provincial regulations. The only place where issues were seen in the past was at the Homecoming Weekend dance, he noted.
Councillor Stephens also supported the motion, pointing out that the event has already had an expanded alcohol area. “It’s not any different this year than it has been in the past,” he said. “There have been no problems at all.” He accepted responsibility for the initial expansion of the area where alcohol can be consumed, having seen such an expansion at a Scottish festival in Toronto. He noted that when he was responsible for security at Homecoming Weekend the Lions kept a tight ship. “I don’t think this year will be any different.”
Councillor Rose Diebolt agreed with Councillor Stephens, adding “there has never been an issue.”
In the end the motion passed opposed only by Councillor Bisaillon.
