Check out the City of Winnipeg licensing department.
According to the law, these folks are working for the good of the city as a whole. Here's how it's supposed to work.
Certain businesses pose greater risks to people and property than others. The operation of some businesses is especially open to abuse. Some businesses seem to require lots of attention from cops and others to ensure their lawful operation.
In theory, the City's License Department is supposed to write up and enforce safeguards with those businesses. In theory, they should try to link the cost of the license with the costs of enforcement.
In theory, they are anxious to work with police and community. In theory, they look for and pass on all information which would help city council vote intelligently on new license applications.
So much for the theory! Here's the reality.
We have lots of contact with this department. We’re always trying to protect our neighbourhood from businesses which stigmatize our area or serve as fronts for crime. When one of these businesses tries to get a license we make the trip to tell city councilors what’s really happening here in the neighbourhood. We’ve had little reason to trust that the license department will be looking out for us.
I’ve talked to the license boss about ludicrous problems with current bylaws. Like requiring names of clients at massage parlours – but not requiring any identification. So people make up names all the time. You should see some of the phony names, courtesy of people mocking the bylaw.
So what does the licensing boss tell us? “I know there’s a serious problem. I’m re-writing the bylaw.” How they keep giving new licenses under an old and flawed bylaw? I figure they would be legally liable for giving licenses that don’t protect anyone. And why does it take years to rewrite a flawed bylaw?
This week I called the department for information about what we suspected was an improperly issued city business license. It was a very simple request. “Here's a license number. What kind of license is it?” It shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds to check that out on one of their computers.
So what did the licensing boss say? “I’ll research that.” I wanted to tell him I’m not a professor asking for a term paper. I’m a community worker and resident wanting a two or three word answer. What’s to research? How to cover their tracks?
Another time I asked for a current list of license holders for escort services and pawn shops. This would take a little research and maybe a short printout from their database. But it would allow us to help them by checking the track record of those license holders.
So what did the head honcho say? “Sorry, I can’t give you that information, because it’s probably protected by the privacy act.” I had a hard time believing that, considering every one of these licenses had to go through a public hearing with the license holder identified.
At various public license hearings, city councillors look to the licensing boss to inform them of any reasons they should deny a license application. We sit in the gallery and watch him. We have newspaper clippings, letters, police reports and residents’ complaints. We know the license holder has had problems with the department. We are incredulous when we hear the license boss tell them he has no problem. He has access to all the same information we have – and more. Sometimes, I wonder who he’s really working for.
Oh, remember the joke I promised?
Let's say there's an illegal massage and escort service on a street near your home. The cops raid the place on an almost monthly basis. Often the cops lay charges. Judging from their track record, this place seems to have little respect for the law or their neighbours. Plus they can’t get a $2,000 massage or escort license in a residential area.
So you’re the licensing boss, what do you do?
Well, it seems some genius in the license department gave them a $100 “lingerie modeling” license. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink – say no more…
That license doesn’t require a public hearing. I’ve been told it’s easier to get a “lingerie modeling” license than a “hairdresser’s” license. Now there’s nothing to stop this silliness from coming to a Whyte Ridge near you.
Isn't that hilarious?
Whose side are these people on? Is it any wonder that folks in my neighbourhood believe you can’t trust city hall?
Rev. Harry Lehotsky
514 Maryland Street
Winnipeg, Mb R3G 1M5
(204) 775-4929
lehotsky@escape.ca