Minto’s municipal liquor licence does not mean local groups or individuals can opt out of liability insurance for events or dances on municipal properties.
Council has agreed with its parks and recreation advisory committee which recommended that all renters of municipal facilities provide at least $2-million liability insurance, with Minto named as co-insured.
Councillor Dave Turton explained that renters have two ways of having events insured.
One way would be going through the municipality, or getting separate liability coverage.
“We felt $2-million was a good number,” he said.
Deputy-Mayor Judy Dirksen asked for clarification – that renters could either get liability insurance through Minto’s policy or on their own.
“I thought I understood this until councillor Turton cleared it up.”
Recreation director David Stonley explained that when Minto moved towards a municipal liquor licence to cover all of its facilities – the matter of liability insurance somehow was lost in the shuffle.
He said renters can apply to be covered under the municipal policy – or under separate insurance.
Many service clubs and groups already have their own insurance policies to cover liability.
“So this is an extra fee?” asked Dirksen.
“Most municipalities already require liability insurance; those who don’t are leaving themselves open …” Stonley said.
He added that the liability insurance is required for all rentals, not just licensed events.
