VANCOUVER (CKNW/AM980) -- Surrey RCMP are scrambling after discovering that bars and restaurants can stay open until 4AM on New Year's Eve under a little known and fairly recent piece of legislation.
RCMP spokesman Constable Tim Shields says the Liquor Control and Licensing Act was amended late last year and because it's provincial legislation it overrides municipal bylaws.
Shields says the RCMP just became aware of it Tuesday and now they're scrambling to extend shifts saying the detachment has to be pretty light on it’s feet and change the operational plan to keep the members working until at least four or five in the morning.
Under the legislation, any bar or restaurant can stay open until 4AM on New Year's Eve only if it makes food available.
http://www.cknw.com/news/news_local.cfm?item=43421&c=1
Dec 31, 03
