Irshadgul News report,
The province has brought two Liquor Control Act charges against a Halifax alehouse after an alleged assault and a manslaughter outside the bar late last year.
CBC News has learned that Nova Scotia’s Division of Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco launched an investigation into incidents involving the Halifax Alehouse and its employees over an unspecified period last year.
The division began the investigation after Halifax Regional Police were contacted about an incident outside the alehouse on December 24 that resulted in the death of 31-year-old Ryan Sawyer.
“This initiated a comprehensive investigation for us,” said John Paul Landry, the division’s executive director.
The division alleges that the alehouse allowed activity that is “detrimental to the order of control of the premises” and did not report criminal charges made in connection with an incident on or near its property, Landry said.
He said the investigation is complete and the matter will go before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
Landry said the punishment “could be anything from license terms to suspension.”
charge on bouncers
He could not provide further details about the investigation, but confirmed it included a December 24 death and an altercation in October that led to criminal charges against two alehouse bouncers.
The owners of the Halifax Alehouse declined to comment on the investigation.
A witness who was outside the bar in the early hours of Christmas Eve told CBC News he saw security guard put a man in a chokehold before the arrival of the police.
Emergency responders found Ryan Sawyer unresponsive in the street and he was taken to a hospital, where he later died. The province’s medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
Halifax Regional Police have said they cannot provide further details about the incident as their investigation continues. No charges have been filed.
A pair of alehouse bouncers were charged with assault in relation to a separate incident that occurred on 10 October, in which a 21-year-old man said he was assaulted outside the bar.
Both Matthew Day and Alexander Levy have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which have yet to be tested in court.
The bar is also the subject of a civil lawsuit stemming from an incident last summer. A patron filed a lawsuit against the alehouse, alleging that on August 14, bouncers attacked him, seriously injuring him.
new rules
Last week, the government of Nova Scotia announced Bouncers now have to complete security training To work late night bars in the province including alehouses.
Bar security staff will also be required to undergo a criminal record check upon request and complete a responsible beverage service training program.
The new rule applies to employees of bars with cabaret licenses, which allow them to stay open until 3:30 a.m. These include:
- The Dome, Halifax.
- Level 8 Nightclub & Lounge, Halifax.
- HFX Sports Bar & Grill / The Alehouse, Halifax.
- Toothy Moose, Halifax.
- Capri Cabaret, Sydney.
Landry said any effort to make patrons and employees safer and prevent people with violent backgrounds from working as bouncers is a positive step.
He said the allegations against the alehouse show the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division has the tools it needs to keep the public safe and licensees accountable.