Monday, March 15, 2010

INDUSTRY NEWS: BC DISTRICT TO BAN FAST FOOD RETAILERS

Attention natural food retailers! Here's an opportunity to capitalize on the health food retailing aspect of your business. The Countil for the District of Tofino announced last week that it is directing staff to draft a community plan that will discourage the future development and location of large-format retail chains and fast-food chains that do not reflect the character of the municipality.

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BC DISTRICT TO BAN FAST FOOD RETAILERS


TOFINO – Council for the District of Tofino, last week, has directing staff to draft a bylaw that would ban franchises in Tofino utilizing a section of the official community plan which discourages future development and location of large-format retail chains and fast-food chains that do not reflect the character of the municipality.

“We are very unique where you can come to this place and you don't have a Starbucks, Tim Hortons or a McDonalds,” Coun. Stephen Ashton said. However, Ashton admitted that already existing franchises in the municipality could not be banned. “I think that we have to be proactive,” he said. Bob Long, chief administrative officer, said the bylaws will have to be enforceable and council will have to assess the risks involved. “There is something called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Long said to council. “And sometimes these types of things can conflict with each other. You can't really enact legislation that is contrary to those freedoms and rights.” Long said the municipality’s staff will do the best it can and “knows what the risks are associated with that kind of legislation.”

SOURCE: Lawday

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