The smell of cooking pizza wafted out the second-floor windows of Without Papers Pizza on Friday even though they have been shut down by the city..The day after the city implemented the new bylaw mandating Calgary businesses to require vaccine passports on September 22, Without Papers Pizza posted this message on their Facebook page:.“We accept all, may they be vaccinated or unvaccinated, as being equal in their humanity and afforded the same dignity and equity as such. We respect that the individual has decided in accordance to their situation and allow that individual the right to freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression. We will not be in compliance of The City of Calgary Bylaw 65M2021”.The following Monday, Alberta Health Services (AHS) suspended their food-handling permit but the Ingelwood pizzeria kept serving their customers..On Thursday, the city put out a statement saying “we have received many complaints and inquiries about Without Papers Pizza.”.The statement said the restaurant has racked up 27 tickets for “refusal to check for proof of vaccination or a valid alternative; failure to display signage; and operating while its business licence is suspended,” and confirmed its business and liquor licences as well as its permits have been revoked..The Western Standard went to Without Papers Pizza just before lunch on Friday to speak with the owners but the business door was locked and displayed a notice stating the restaurant has been ordered closed by AHS..A man who identified himself as the owner spoke through an upper floor window and said he wasn’t interested in speaking with anyone..“I’d rather allow the people to speak,” he said giving a peace sign..At noon, people began to gather to wait for the promise of free pizza from the establishment..Stragglers continued to gather around the front door of the pizzeria and at about 12:30 p.m. the doors opened to two people carrying stacks of pizzas. They were set on two milk crates and over two dozen people helped themselves to a slice..Up to and including the week ending October 5, a total of 62 tickets have been issued by the city to Calgary businesses for public health order and bylaw infractions..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with The Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
