Steinbach votes to loosen liquor laws

Residents in Steinbach, Man., have voted in favour of loosening the formerly dry community's liquor laws.

An average of 70 per cent ofeligible residents who voted in a municipal referendum Wednesday were in favour of allowing lounges and beverage rooms in the city.

Deputy mayor Jac Siemens told CBC News that voters cast ballots in response to three questions:

• Beverage room licences: 69 per cent voted in favour of allowing them.
• Private club licences: 72 per cent voted in favour.
• Cocktail room licences: 70 per cent voted in favour.

Steinbach, a city of about 13,000 in southern Manitoba, has had a liquor store since 2008, when council voted 4-2 to allow one to open.

Residents voted by the narrowest of margins in 2003 in favour of allowing alcohol to be served in restaurants with meals.

Steinbach currently does not have any lounges or beverage rooms, but city officials have said it's inevitable the law will continue to relax.

However, local religious groups have opposed any access to alcohol.

Voter turnout in Wednesday's referendum was 38 per cent, Siemens said.