Kingston, Ont., pub loses liquor licence for breaking pandemic rules

A Kingston, Ont., sports pub can no longer serve alcohol as Ontario's alcohol licensing agency, the AGCO, has removed its licence forbreaking pandemic rules.

The decision comes about aweek after J.A.K.K. Tuesdaysshared on Facebook it wouldn't enforce the province's proof-of-vaccine rules, which came into effect Sept. 22.

The AGCOsaid in a Thursday news releaseofficials with the pub told the agency on Sept. 10 it wouldn't enforcethe Reopening Ontario Act, which covers vaccine rules along with what's allowed under Step 3 of the province's reopening plan.

The pub also posted signssaying it wouldn't followthe rules.

Kingston's public health unit received several complaints about the pub and on Sept. 24,bylaw officerscharged the business owner after watching the pub break the reopening act, according to the agency, which said one of its officials also saw the pub break the rules.

The news release saidthe liquor licence will be suspended and the agency will move to permanently take it away for public safety. The pub can appeal.

"We appreciate and recognize all the establishments that are taking this responsibility seriously and will continue addressing situations where that responsibility is being disregarded," AGCO CEOTom Munghamsaid in astatement.

Provincial officials have said asking people to show proof they received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in high-risk placeswill save livesand the hospital system, while avoidingthe types of shutdowns seen lastwinter and spring.

This is the first publicly reportedliquor licence suspension in Ontario since the proof-of-vaccination system began.