Delegates Program - Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research

Business Hours Bylaw in Wetaskiwin:
RCMP and hospital records are presented and compared to a control community to determine the
impact of a bylaw which reduces local liquor vendors’ operation hours
Speaker:
Dr. Don Voaklander, Director
Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research
What was the actual and/or potential alcohol-related injury issue(s) you identified in your
community?
City Council in Wetaskiwin, with public and enforcement support felt that the availability
of liquor was negatively affecting the quality of life in Wetaskiwin
What did you do to address the identified issue(s)?
On January 1, 2009 a bylaw came in to force where liquor stores and alcohol off sales
would not be allowed after 10:00 P.M. in the evening
What outcomes did you observe?
Data from RCMP records examining trends in enforcement statistics before and after the
bylaw was instituted did not exhibit any significant effect of the bylaw. An examination
of Emergency Department (ED) records revealed a reduction in injury presentations postlegislation.
This included a reduction in the proportion of injuries reported as assaults
and self-harm
How might other Alberta communities use this information?
Other communities where there is a problem with drinking related injury may use similar
legislation to control alcohol problems in their community
Contact:
Don Voaklander
780 492 0454
don.voaklander@ualberta.ca
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