The Halifax Regional Municipality shouldn’t be looking to alcohol manufacturers to sponsor major events, one HRM councillor said yesterday.
Coun. Gloria McCluskey said she takes issue with HRM’s current policy of allowing companies like Labatt and Bacardi to sponsor municipal parades, concerts or festivals.
“Every function we have, our sponsors are liquor establishments,” McCluskey said during yesterday’s regular council meeting. “We’re talking about keeping kids away from alcohol consumption and abuse, but we’re opening this up and saying these are great things.”
McCluskey, who represents downtown Dartmouth, made the comments following a presentation by HRM Public Safety Officer Don Spicer.
Spicer gave council an update on the work being done by HRM’s Public Safety Office, saying his team has been working actively to “enhance education and enforcement of the underage portion of the liquor control act.”
But McCluskey argued if the municipality is serious about addressing the issue, it should start by reviewing its sponsorship policies.
Staff said they would look into her concerns.
