The Prince Albert executive committee will review new data on the city’s liquor store hours bylaw when it meets Monday, alongside a housing strategy presentation and several development-related requests.
Administration is bringing forward an impact evaluation of Alcohol Bylaw 13 of 2024, which restricted liquor store hours between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. The bylaw came into effect June 1, 2024, following concerns about alcohol-related harms in the community.
According to the report, the Victoria Hospital emergency department saw a statistically significant drop in alcohol-related visits after the bylaw took effect. Prior to the change, the hospital averaged 27 alcohol-related visits per week. In the post-bylaw period, that number dropped to 22.7 visits per week.
Data from the Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit also showed a decline. The average number of alcohol-related calls fell from 147 per month to 106 per month after the bylaw implementation.
Analysis of liquor shipment data from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority indicated no significant change in overall alcohol demand within the city. The report states the amount of liquor shipped to Prince Albert continued a pre-existing downward trend, suggesting the reduced hours did not shift purchasing patterns in a measurable way.
Administration is recommending that council direct the development of a comprehensive municipal alcohol strategy and advocate to the province for updates to minimum alcohol pricing, known as social reference pricing, which has not been adjusted since 2010.
The alcohol review comes as the council has also directed administration to examine the city’s current cap on cannabis retail stores following interest from a downtown investor. Council recently approved a motion asking for a report on the cannabis retail limit, though no changes to the cap have been approved. Both matters reflect ongoing discussions about how substance-related retail operates within Prince Albert.
Council will also receive a verbal presentation on the city’s Housing Strategy and Implementation Plan. A Housing Needs Assessment completed last year found Prince Albert currently faces a shortfall of 1,470 affordable housing units and will require an additional 1,097 units over the next decade to meet projected demand.
The forthcoming strategy is intended to function as an implementation plan focused on increasing transitional, supportive, and affordable housing while accelerating appropriate market development. Funding for the strategy is being supported through the Building Safer Communities fund, which aims to address underlying factors linked to crime and gang activity.
The housing strategy also comes as work continues on the city’s Complex Needs Facility, which is expected to open this summer as a short-term stabilization site for individuals experiencing intoxication or mental health distress. While the facility is intended to address immediate crises, the housing assessment points to a broader shortage of affordable and supportive housing as a longer-term structural issue.
In addition to major reports, the consent agenda includes requests from Beau Lac Funeral Home and Carlton Honda seeking inclusion in the city’s New Construction Development Tax Incentive program as part of renovation and expansion projects. A request to review taxation on civic facilities and the library is also listed.
The executive committee meets Monday, March 2, at the Prince Albert City Hall.
arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca
