The Pub and Bar Coalition of Ontario (PUBCO)
Mission Statement: To effectively represent and protect the
interests of the pub and bar industry in the province of Ontario
PUBCO was conceived when the new City of Ottawa decided to push through
a by-law prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants throughout the city.
This bylaw was developed and introduced within a period of little over
three months and with no meaningful consultation with business owners
in the city.
Some individuals, on hearing of the proposals, immediately contacted
professional organizations of which they were members to seek assistance
in their fight for survival. Such pleading fell on deaf ears.
The Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA) had a split within their membership as to how to address the
situation. Many of their membership thought that a ban on smoking in Restaurants was a fine idea, indeed many big chains of
family type restaurants had already chosen to adopt a nonsmoking policy, as this is what the majority of their particular
clientele. No smoking was also more profitable, for these businesses, requiring less cleaning, burn repairs and no requirement
for expensive ventilation systems.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business ...Same story.
Many individuals contacted their Councilors, and even the Mayor, but
their concerns fell on deaf ears and it soon became evident that the fix
was in. The official Committee Hearings and the public meetings leading
up to it were a farce. The anti-tobacco industry had taken control of
the agenda and it was blatantly evident that the Committee, together with
the Council at large had already decided the fate of Ottawa pub and bar
owners. Without considering the evidence available, and with no thought
towards reasonable compromise, they were prepared to condemn hundreds
of honest tax paying small business owners, their families and thousands
of employees to a future of uncertainty, job deprivation and, for many,
financial ruin.
The seriousness of their plight soon became apparent to bar owners throughout
the City. They had been cast to the wolves and had absolutely no one to
speak on their behalf.
It was this mutual threat to their livelihoods that spurred the conception
of PUBCO, a Coalition to fight the imposition of an unfair regulation
on an industry that had no unified voice. Had PUBCO been in existence
at the time the by-law was being developed, there is little doubt that
the City would not have attempted to impose such a draconian measure on
such an important segment of Ottawa's hospitality industry. However, in
the absence of any perceived opposition, and egged on by an over zealous
Health Department, Council decided to try and force through the most stringent
anti-tobacco by-law in Canada.
A small but determined group of individuals decided to band together
to fight this issue and their voices were soon heard across the City and
the Province. Pub and Bar owners flocked to join the Coalition assisted
by increasing members of the public who were similarly appalled by the
injustice of the proposal.
Never again will our industry be caught unawares as it was in this instance.
PUBCO will fight tooth and nail against this, and every other unjust restriction
that government agencies might seek to force on our industry. We do not
need an army of bureaucrats telling us how to run our businesses.
Throughout the discussions leading up to the introduction of the prohibition,
we were continually assailed with the phrase that it was necessary to
have "a level playing field". PUBCO wholeheartedly agrees, but more important
than a level playing field is "a fair and legal" playing
field. This is what PUBCO is fighting for now, and this is what
we shall continue to fight for in the future.
The pub and bar owners of Ontario now have a voice and PUBCO will ensure
that such voice is heard.
This is WHO PUBCO is and WHAT PUBCO is fighting for.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU! Pub and Bar owners and the operators of other
businesses licensed to sell alcohol within Ontario - this includes restaurants,
private clubs and golf courses. We are all in the same boat and we all
need to row together.
Don't Delay --- Join PUBCO today, and help us in this fight to maintain
Democracy and Freedom of Choice
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