London, Ontario. Labor groups and politicians opposed to 7-Eleven selling alcohol near western campus

The London and Local Labor Counciland local politicians oppose 7-Eleven's application to sell alcohol in local convenience stores.

The group is a member of the Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO).

An AGCO spokesperson said in his email to 980 CFPL: Allow.

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One of the London locations in question is at 1181 Western Road, across from Western University, where a freshman was murdered in September 2021.

"They call themselves restaurants, but we don't think 7-Eleven is a restaurant." No," said Jeff Robinson, first vice president of the Labor Council. "We basically feel like they're trying to turn gas stations and convenience stores into local bars, and the last thing this community needs is not another bar."

"People are coming to fill their cars with gas and now they can come in and have beer and wine. This is very worrying," he added.

The Labor Council is concerned that the store he is open 24 hours a day.

Robinson also cited the proximity to Western University as a major concern, saying it could make it easier for underage college students to purchase alcohol.

"Western University clearly has well-documented problems with underage drinking, sexual violence, and other types of alcohol-induced assault," he said. rice field. "The last thing they need is more access to alcohol."

Western community member David Heap expressed similar concerns, noting that the company's "very quiet highlighted the application process.

"There was an announcement period last winter. I just heard about it in March," Heap said. … has really flown under the radar of communities, local businesses and campus communities.

“Licensing The Court of Appeals did not even give the Western intervenors status as dissenters," Heap added. "They said it was too late to apply."

He went on to say, "Obviously, that's an on-campus concern."

``As Jeff said, sexual violence and alcohol-fueled parties are a problem on campus [and] one more alcohol outlet won't make everyone's situation better.

Some of the Labor Council's concerns are shared by politicians in some places, such as District 6 Kaung. Mariam Hamm.

"He has over 4,000 of his freshmen in the immediate vicinity of this store, and selling alcohol here is a recipe for disaster," he said.

``There are some serious safety issues and we need to make sure people feel safer in this area. Therefore, we hope that this application will be denied.”

MPP Terence Kernaghan, on the increase in traffic accidents and community safety issues, proposed Licensing near two schools.

"Residents and nearby businesses have issued seven liquor licenses to allow people to drink at the corner store. - making it clear that you shouldn't give it to Eleven," said Carnahan. "It's not fair to harass local restaurants and bars, it poses a serious threat to community safety, and it doesn't make anyone's life better.

"7-Eleven is not a restaurant. It doesn't matter what you claim or what you're trying to do with Doug Ford."

Allowing the sale of beer and wine in convenience stores was Prime Minister It was one of the campaign promises.

Read more: 7-Eleven's Ontario in-store alcohol plan is a new interpretation of an old model, restaurant group says

Due to the high public and community interest in these applications, AGCO has issued a Notice of Proposal (NOP) to 61 cases filed by 7-Elevens across the state, including three in London. reviewed all of the liquor license applications.

According to AGCO, a NOP is the process by which an applicant is notified that a registrar is proposing to review, deny, revoke, or suspend a license.

This decision he will appeal to the LAT, and on Friday he has a hearing scheduled to discuss the possibility of 1181 Western Rd. Liquor sales license acquisition place.

An AGCO spokesperson confirmed to his 980 CFPL that "to date, no license has been issued to 7-Eleven."

Additional 7-Eleven locations applying to sell alcohol in London are:

Subject to certain rules and regulations to ensure that alcohol is served safely and responsibly.

- Using files from Andrew Graham of Global News

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