City council objects to liquor licences for two Hamilton 7-Eleven stores

Hamilton city council is fighting a move by 7-Eleven convenience stores to serve alcohol at two locations — one in the east end, and one on the Mountain. 

Councillors voted unanimously Wednesday to file an official objection to liquor license applications from store locations at 622 Upper Wellington St. and 415 Melvin Ave.

"Nobody's really sure why 7-Eleven is looking for in-store alcohol consumption, but obviously there's far-ranging consequences to the community if this were to be allowed," said Danko.

"We only have two 7-Eleven stores (in Hamilton), but what applies to 7-Eleven could conceivably apply to any convenience store across the city."

The company announced in February it would apply for licenses to serve beer and wine for in-store consumption at 61 Ontario locations. Corner store alcohol sales aren't allowed in Ontario, so customers would not be able to buy booze to take home.

The plan has been panned by restaurants and bars, which have struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic. It also saw criticism from a health perspective on Wednesday, with Coun. Maureen Wilson (Ward 1) saying increased access to cheap alcohol is accelerating a public health crisis.

"There is mounting evidence showing alcohol-related harms… are on the rise, specifically young women and girls are experiencing increasing harms," she said. "I am not proposing prohibition. I am underscoring the unintended, or not-thought-of, consequences, of when we're loosening rules around something that is killing more Canadians and Ontarians than opioids."

Danko's motion opposed the liquor licenses for the following reasons:

• The 622 Upper Wellington St. store is located in the Centremount neighbourhood, and that in-store consumption of beer and wine at a convenience store would be problematic for drivers and pedestrians in the community. 
• The 415 Melvin Ave. location, near Woodward Avenue and Barton Street, has nearby playgrounds and Hillcrest Elementary School.

Coun. Sam Merulla (Ward 4) seconded the motion. The Melvin Avenue store is in his ward.

"Looking at this from a business plan, it makes a good deal of sense, but looking at it from a community perspective, it's an absolute nightmare," he said.

Decision will go to tribunal

Ken Leendertse, the city's director of licensing and by-law services, said the city's opposition means the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will have to hold a tribunal to decide on the liquor license applications. The city will be able to send a representative to the tribunal to explain why Hamilton opposes the licenses, he said.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger pointed out that the city isn't picking on 7-Eleven and would oppose any convenience store liquor licenses. He plans to bring forward a motion to a future council meeting to let the province know Hamilton is equally opposed to all drinking at such stores.

"To increase the availability of alcohol this way… where you can go to the variety store and consume, it defies logic," he said. "This to me seems to be an unreasonable, unsafe way of (consuming alcohol)."