Guy Maurice

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario held a pre-hearing teleconference regarding a Notice of Proposal to suspend the liquor licence of The Dizzy Weasel Pub and Grub.

The Board ordered both the Licensee and the Registrar to complete mutual disclosure of witness lists, evidence summaries, and other materials at least 10 days prior to the scheduled hearing date.

A subsequent corrigendum corrected a clerical error to note the attendance of the Licensee's representative at the pre-hearing.

The Licensee was found to have violated section 43 of O. Reg. 719/90 by permitting overcrowding in its licensed premises.

This was the fourth such infraction for the establishment.

The Registrar sought a 28-day suspension, while the Licensee argued for a 12-day suspension, noting the absence of a staff member on the night in question and the lack of injuries.

The Board emphasized the serious safety risks associated with overcrowding and ordered a 21-day suspension of the liquor licence as a matter of general and specific deterrence.

The Licensee applied to remove a condition on its liquor licence that completely excluded a specific individual, a former licensee with outstanding tax debts, from the premises.

The Registrar proposed to refuse the removal.

The Board found that the individual's services as a promoter were necessary for the club's success and that a less restrictive condition, preventing him from having any financial or management control, would not bring the administration of the Liquor Licence Act into disrepute.

The Board ordered the condition replaced.

The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario sought to suspend the respondent's liquor licence for overcrowding and failing to post a suspension placard.

The hearing proceeded ex parte as the respondent did not appear.

The Board accepted the evidence of the police officer and inspector, finding breaches of sections 43 and 55(2) of Ontario Regulation 719/90.

The Board ordered a 55-day suspension of the liquor licence, noting that the respondent had recently offered to surrender its licence.

The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario issued a Notice of Proposal to suspend the respondent's liquor licence after a drunken patron was struck over the head with a beer bottle on the premises.

The parties submitted an Agreed Statement of Facts and a Joint Submission on Disposition, admitting to a violation of subsection 45(1) of Ontario Regulation 719/90.

The Board accepted the joint submission and ordered a 7-day suspension of the liquor licence.

The applicant applied for a liquor licence for a restaurant located in a city-owned riverfront park.

Resident objectors opposed the application, arguing that a licensed establishment in a public park would attract underage drinkers, set a negative precedent for commercialization, and be contrary to the public interest under s. 6(2)(h) of the Liquor Licence Act.

The Board found that the objectors' concerns were speculative and that the city supported the application and retained control over the lease.

The Board concluded the objectors failed to satisfy their onus to prove the licence was not in the public interest and approved the application.

The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario issued a Notice of Proposal to suspend the liquor licence of the respondent establishment.

The parties submitted an Agreed Statement of Facts admitting that the person in charge was intoxicated and that signs of service were not cleared by 3:05 a.m., in violation of O. Reg. 719/90.

The Board accepted the Joint Submission on Disposition and ordered a 10-day suspension of the liquor licence.

At a pre-hearing conference regarding a Notice of Proposal to suspend the liquor licence of Raxx Billiards & Bar, the Board ordered the corporate licensee to disclose its witness list and evidence summaries to the Registrar 10 days before the hearing.

The Registrar was also ordered to complete any further disclosure 10 days before the hearing.

Following a pre-hearing teleconference regarding a Notice of Proposal to suspend a liquor licence, the Board of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario ordered mutual disclosure.

The corporate licensee and the Registrar's Representative were ordered to disclose witness lists, evidence summaries, and any further disclosure pursuant to Rule 7 of the AGCO Rules of Practice at least ten days before the scheduled hearing.

At a pre-hearing conference regarding a Notice of Proposal to suspend the liquor licence of Urban Steakhouse and Lounge, the Board ordered the corporate licensee to disclose its witness list and evidence summaries to the Registrar 10 days before the scheduled hearing.

The Registrar was also ordered to complete any further disclosure 10 days before the hearing.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario held a pre-hearing conference regarding a proposal to suspend the liquor licence of Ocean Sports Bar & Grill.

The licensee failed to attend.

The Board ordered the licensee to provide witness lists and summaries, and both parties to complete disclosure ten days prior to the scheduled hearing.

The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario issued a Notice of Proposal to review a liquor licence application by 1708432 Ontario Inc. for the Allegro Café.

The Registrar alleged that the applicant's sole shareholder was fronting for an individual with a past conviction for keeping a gaming house, and that false statements were made on the application.

The Board found insufficient evidence to establish that the applicant was a front or lacked the necessary integrity to operate the establishment.

The Board approved the liquor licence subject to conditions restricting the involvement of the individual with the past conviction.

The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario issued a Notice of Proposal to suspend the liquor licence of the respondent motor hotel for alleged violations of the Liquor Licence Act and its regulations.

Following a hearing, the Board found that the licensee violated section 29 of the Act by serving alcohol to intoxicated patrons and section 45(1) of the regulations by permitting drunkenness and disorderly conduct on the premises.

The Board invited written submissions on penalty.

The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario issued a Notice of Proposal to suspend the liquor licence of the respondent establishment for allegedly exceeding the licensed capacity of its patio, contrary to section 43 of O.Reg 719/90.

An inspector testified that he counted 26 to 29 patrons on a patio licensed for 18, while the respondent's doorman testified there were only 12 patrons after some were removed.

The Board preferred the inspector's evidence, noting that the removal of patrons corroborated the patio being over capacity.

The Board found the respondent violated section 43 and invited written submissions on penalty.

The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario issued a Notice of Proposal to revoke the liquor license of Rol Jui Seafood Restaurant for multiple violations, including serving alcohol after hours, failing to clear signs of service, permitting drunkenness, and obstructing an inspection.

Undercover inspectors were served beer in teapots after hours, and staff attempted to conceal evidence and block inspectors.

Given the licensee's history of similar violations and recent suspensions, the Board found the licensee unmanageable and ordered the immediate revocation of the liquor license.

The applicant, Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 15, applied for a liquor licence for indoor and outdoor areas at a new location.

Local residents objected to the application, raising concerns about potential noise, traffic, and the proximity of the premises to a public park, schools, and a church.

The Board noted the applicant's strong past record as a responsible licensee with no history of infractions or noise complaints.

The Board concluded that the application was in the public interest and approved the licence subject to conditions, including prohibitions on amplified music on the patio and requirements to keep doors and windows closed.

The applicant, operating as Heat Nite Club, applied to remove a condition from its liquor licence that prohibited a licensed patio.

The Registrar initially issued a Notice of Proposal to refuse the removal.

At the hearing, the Durham Regional Police Service withdrew its objection after the applicant consented to eight new conditions.

The Board approved the application and ordered the removal of the previous condition, replacing it with the agreed-upon conditions relating to capacity, soundproofing, lighting, and security personnel.

At a pre-hearing conference regarding a Notice of Proposal to suspend a liquor licence, the Board ordered both the corporate licensee and the Registrar to provide mutual disclosure, including witness lists and evidence summaries, 14 days prior to the scheduled hearing date.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario held a pre-hearing conference regarding a Notice of Proposal to suspend the liquor licence of Westwood Place Burgers Restaurant.

The corporate licensee failed to attend.

The Board ordered the licensee to provide witness lists and summaries, and both parties to complete disclosure ten days prior to the scheduled hearing.

The applicant applied for a liquor sales licence for the indoor and outdoor areas of a restaurant.

The Registrar issued a Notice of Proposal to review the application.

Several residents initially objected to the application, believing the new establishment would be similar to the previous noisy tenant.

However, after learning the applicant intended to operate a high-end dining restaurant, many objectors withdrew their concerns and supported the application.

No objectors attended the hearing.

The Board found that the objectors failed to satisfy their burden of proving that issuing the licence was not in the public interest.

The application was approved subject to standard clearances.