Sask. businessman wants ‘equal playing field’ from COVID rules

Saskatchewan businesses losing customers to proof-of-vaccination requirements are asking for current public health measures to be changed.

Conrad Bendig owns and operates five taverns and liquor stores in small towns in northern Saskatchewan, including Debden, Canwood, Shaw Lake, Spiritwood and Big River. He said he has seen a “significant” drop in business since he has been required to ask for proof of vaccination at his businesses.

Even worse, the customers Bendig turns away only have to walk a short while to find another store, one that is allowed to sell alcohol without requiring proof of vaccination.

“We don’t have a level playing field, still,” Bendig said. “It’s very frustrating.”

His frustration comes from a long few months of frustrations at his establishments. He said vaccination requirements have led to him having to lay off key members of his staff and belligerent customers have abused his staff both verbally and physically.

“A few weeks ago, one of our girls got punched in the head for refusing service to an unvaccinated person,” Bendig said.

Bendig doesn’t want to see his customers go to another store nearby that can sell them alcohol, like he could, but doesn’t have to ask for proof of vaccination.

“It seems unfair — (that) is a kind way of putting it — that we’re expecting the taverns and the restaurants that have liquor stores to follow these guidelines but the rest of these stores, they don’t,” he explained.

He noted if the point of these restrictions is to put pressure on those who are not vaccinated, they’re missing the point.

“The unvaccinated person is just going to find a place where he can go or she can go to buy whatever product they wanted to buy,” he said. “Even if people are vaccinated, some are just unwilling to show their cards.”

As for preventing the spread of COVID-19, Bendig welcomes people to visit his establishments, which he says are largely empty now due to the restrictions and the low vaccine uptake in the small towns his businesses are located in.

He thinks the solution is simple: “They can just rope off their liquor and not sell it.”

Bendig would also be glad to see the government adjust the rules to either entirely allow or disallow the sale of alcohol without proof of vaccination.