The Village of Daajing Giids is asking the provincial government to review its long-standing moratorium on new private liquor store licences, arguing the policy is creating unintended consequences for small rural communities.
Council was scheduled to consider sending a letter to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General during its July 13 meeting, calling for either an exemption for Daajing Giids or a broader review of the province's licensing policy.
According to the draft letter, the community's only private liquor store has operated in Daajing Giids for more than two decades. The licence has since been sold, and the new owner intends to relocate the business outside the community, leaving Daajing Giids without a privately operated liquor retailer.
The Village argues that while existing licences may still be bought and sold, the provincial freeze on issuing new private liquor store licences has significantly increased their market value, making them financially out of reach for many small communities. The letter notes licence values have reportedly exceeded $1 million.
The Village also points out that Daajing Giids is not eligible for a Rural Licensee Retail Store licence because the community already has a BC Liquor Store. As a result, council says the community falls into a regulatory gap—unable to qualify for a rural exception while also unable to replace its existing private retailer under the current moratorium.
In the letter, council argues the loss of the private store would reduce consumer choice, eliminate approximately four full-time equivalent jobs and remove a locally owned business from the community. It also notes residents would need to travel outside the community to access another private liquor retailer.
The Village is asking the province to either grant Daajing Giids an exemption allowing a new private liquor store licence to be issued locally or undertake a broader review of how the moratorium affects rural and remote communities.