AHS forces shutdown of hotel owned by Calgary MLA

Alberta Health Services has issued a closure order for a Gleichen Hotel that belongs to a Calgary MLA.

The Gleichen Hotel and Liquor Store was ordered closed Aug. 27, according to the report posted on the AHS website.

The owner of the hotel on the report is named as Calgary-falconridge MLA Devinder Toor. A numbered company named as the second hotel owner matches a company listed on public disclosure documents Toor submitted when he became an MLA.

Postmedia reached out to Toor's office for comment, but hasn't yet received a response.

AHS listed 18 violations at the hotel and bar, including a lack of sanitizer in the bar area, a lack of soap in the public washrooms, mouse droppings found in the kitchen, bar and storage areas, and flies in the light fixtures, among other problems.

A message posted by Siksika Nation Administration says the business, which also has a liquor store attached, was inspected by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) workers as well as Wheatland Fire Services officials, who also ordered both businesses to be closed.

In a statement, Sgt. Scott Mercer of the Gleichen RCMP said the closure presents a concern regarding people with alcohol dependency.

“Police are requesting responsible business owners in the area to refrain from selling … intoxicating substances such as hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, aerosol, etc. without proper judgment,” said Mercer in the statement. “These substances can cause significant health risks if consumed.”

The hotel, located about 90 kilometres southeast of Calgary, is just outside the Siksika First Nation.