History and Heritage

"Prohibition" in Verdun and the Scott Act

For many years, the media incorrectly raised the issue of the Scott Act-a law that established a total ban on alcohol in a given community-when referring to Verdun's regulations on the sale of alcoholic beverages. However, alcohol sales have been permitted in groceries since 1920, and the rules that applied in Verdun were actually those of the Québec Temperance Act .

It was only following numerous unsuccessful attempts on November 24, 1965, that Verdun finally adopted a regulation banning the establishment of certain kinds of business, such as taverns, night clubs and cabarets within the city limits. The establishments named in this regulation could, however, issue liquor licences.

This regulation, which was controversial because of its distinctive nature, was finally repealed in 1996 and integrated into the current zoning by-law.