Booze at variety store within steps of Western University opposed
The battle over booze in Ontario corner stores is taking a new direction in London, Ont.
A 7-Eleven location, located just steps from the campus of Western University, is applying to serve alcohol. But not in multi-packs of cans or bottles.
Instead, if its application is approved, the location will serve alcohol with food. The alcohol must be consumed in the store.
London city Coun. Mariam Hamou is opposed to the plan. “To me it’s location. Where is it? In the middle of 4,000 undergraduate students”, Hamou tells CTV London.
The 7-Eleven is across the street from Western residences, which primarily house first-year students.
“Who is 7-Eleven targeting?” Hamou asks, adding there are 4,000 students living in the nearby residences.
“To me, it is a safety issue but also a resource issue, in that right now, staffing for police, staffing for the hospitals, we don’t have the resources to manage anything further on that corner.”
Hamou's concern is shared by a Western student CTV London spoke with Wednesday. “I think it is close to campus. I don’t think that alcohol should be that close to students”, she said.
Western University Ph.D. student Jackson Kusack on Aug. 17, 2022. (Sean Irvine/CTV London)
But, Ph.D. student Jackson Kusack disagrees. While acknowledging some problems may occur, he says most students are adults and capable of making smart choices.
He also argues that proximity offers at least one safety advantage. “If it is close enough for them to get to without having to drive, that’s a bonus. So, they’re not drinking and driving and driving under the influence.”
CTV London has been unsuccessful in its attempt to reach 7-Eleven for comment.
The corporation has also applied for licenses at two other London locations.
The Licence Appeal Tribunal is holding a public video hearing this Friday. It will specifically to address the application for 1181 Western Road.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, Ont., Hamilton, Ont., Brampton, Ont., and Montreal.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Record-breaking N.B. lottery winner kept winning ticket on dresser for nearly a year
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.