Dean Clifford (standing at right, red shirt) listens as Clearwater CAO Byron Johnson (seated, blue shirt) speaks. (Image Credit: YouTube / District of Clearwater)

By James Peters

Liquor Licensing

District of Clearwater demands province enforce liquor laws on renegade restaurant owner

Jan 31, 2025 | 5:53 PM

CLEARWATER, B.C. — Clearwater council is officially calling on the province to enforce its liquor laws as a local restaurant continues to serve liquor without a license.

Council called a special meeting Friday afternoon (Jan. 31), allowing the community to comment on the situation at 52 Ridge Restaurant.

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) has confirmed proprietor Dean Clifford does not have a liquor license for 52 Ridge, but says it “has no legal authority or jurisdiction” to regulate unlicensed establishments.

Clifford, a self-described ‘freeman on the land,’ also operates the adjacent Clearwater Valley Resort. Last year, Interior Health ordered Clifford to close the restaurant and the resort’s swimming pool. The restaurant remains open.

At Friday’s meeting, a pair of residents told council they just learned this week that the restaurant is operating without a liquor license.

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“It’s pretty obvious to everybody that somebody just going around, selling liquor whenever they want is not a safe and organized thing,” said one man.

“I am quite shocked and appalled — and, quite frankly, afraid because their establishment is right down the street from where my wife and son live. They walk everywhere because they don’t have a vehicle,” said another resident. “It just leaves me very afraid.”

Some like-minded locals have taken up residence at the campground. A pair spoke in support of Clifford at the meeting.

Clifford himself took the microphone to ask a series of questions that left council and staff baffled.

“I asked if the District of Clearwater has any interest in the civic address, 373 Clearwater Valley Road, Clearwater, British Columbia, V0E 1N1? Do you have either legal ownership or equitable ownership of this civic address?” Clifford asked.

When CAO Byron Johnson responded he was not prepared to answer the question, Clifford asked for an estimate on how long it would take to get an answer.

Johnson referred Clifford to the district’s lawyer.

Council ended the meeting by agreeing to send a letter to Attorney General Niki Sharma, Public Safety Minister Garry Begg and Health Minister Josie Osborne, calling on them to enforce B.C.’s liquor and health regulations within the district.