During a comedy show Mike Ward in Shippagan, on Saturday, September 3, a large quantity of alcohol was distributed to the public.
About 800 people attended the show.
The spectacular entrance of a van loaded with 50 cases of 24 cans of beer in the Center Rhéal-Cormier continues to be talked about.
Headaches in Shippagan
If this event amused many, it still leaves a bitter taste in Shippagan.
A few days after the show, Mayor Kassim Doumbia stressed that he did not want blame no one. There may have been a lack of communication on both sides. And we, the Municipality, did not seize the opportunity to offer the service.
No bar service has been provided.
They are members of the team Mike Ward who rushed to the NB Liquor store in Shippagan to buy the beer and then distribute it for free.
Members of the comedian’s team rushed to get beer from the NB Liquor store in Shippagan.
Photo : Radio-Canada / René Landry
Caught off guard, the Director General of the Municipality, who was there, took it upon herself to ensure that bottles of water were distributed free of charge.
The New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety advises that serving alcohol without a valid license is an offense under the Liquor Control Act.
A spokesperson for the ministry, Judy Désalliers, specifies that neither the Maison de la Culture, the cultural society which organized the show, nor the City of Shippagan, owner of the arena, had a valid license to serve alcohol.
If there’s no beer icitte…
Mike Ward refused to start the show without the audience having to drink.
This gesture displeased the cultural society, put in the embarrassment.
It was not in the contract
had then specified the president of the cultural society, Diane DesChênes.
Equally embarrassed, the Municipality even offered the comedian to reimburse him, which he refused.
Shippagan Mayor Kassim Doumbia says he didn’t know an investigation was underway. He prefers to wait before commenting on this.
The cultural society did not call back.