New provincial regulations surrounding alcohol come into effect
By Timothy Schafer
Alcohol could become a more pervasive and accessible aspect of Kootenay-Boundary life after the province implemented province-wide updates to the Liquor Control and Licencing Act Monday.
All types of businesses — like barbershops, salons, book stores and art galleries — are now eligible to apply for a liquor licence, after the Liquor Policy Review acted upon some of its 73 recommendations to update liquor laws, giving businesses “opportunities to generate new revenue” in the process.
The provincial intent of opening up the licensing arena and relaxing regulations is to “increase flexibility for businesses and spur economic growth by opening up the field for liquor licencing.”
Under the new rules, liquor licence applicants are expected to receive more timely decisions on licence applications due to both local governments and the province being able to review liquor licence applications at the same time.
The new changes go much further, however. Hotels and resorts that own a bar on the premises can now offer guests a complimentary alcoholic beverage upon check-in, and guests are allowed to carry their drinks from licenced areas directly to their rooms.
Restaurants can now apply to operate as a bar or nightclub after a certain hour, while bars can apply for a restaurant licence to operate as a restaurant during certain hours.
Golf course patrons can take a drink from one service area to another, private liquor stores are now able to sell different keg sizes, and non-licensees can mention liquor in advertising, as long as they aren’t promoting it, permitting the development of promotional materials, such as maps, apps and brochures to promote B.C.’s wineries, distilleries and breweries.
The new recommendations will now allow “happy hours” by letting pubs and restaurants offer drink specials, and permit patrons to carry liquor between adjoining licensed establishments. Hotels and resorts can now offer a cocktail through hotel room service 24/7.
Beer gardens will become a thing of the past as the province will now allow an entire special event site to be licensed, as well as the sale of mixed-spirit drinks at public licensed special events.
“Hosts” can now serve UBrew/UVin or homemade beer at licensed family special events, and arenas, theatres and stadiums are permitted to offer mixed-spirit drinks in all licensed spaces, not only in boxes or premium seats.
The new recommendations allow restaurant customers to order a drink without requiring food to be purchased, and minors are allowed in “participating pubs” when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
“B.C.’s updated liquor laws have increased choice and convenience for British Columbians and cut red tape for our licensees,” said Poma Dhaliwal, president, Alliance of Beverage Licensees. “As a result, liquor stores, restaurants, and pubs have been able to improve interactions with their customers and pursue new business opportunities throughout B.C.”
On the other side of the coin, the province has instituted several new policies, including the requirement that everyone serving or selling liquor in B.C. must hold Serving It Right or Special Event Server certification to ensure they understand their legal responsibilities. Minimum price regulations are also in place for all licensed establishments and liquor retailers.
Additionally, every establishment in B.C. licensed to sell or serve alcohol is subject to full inspections from the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch to ensure they are in compliance with all public health and safety regulations.
The spinoff of the new recommendations is increased “choice and convenience” for British Columbians, including the ability to purchase 100 per cent B.C. wine on grocery store shelves in 14 locations (and growing).
But that freedom comes at a price. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has launched a trade challenge against the B.C. wine in grocery stores policy.
“We support the growth of the (B.C. wine) industry, and we will defend it against this challenge. The B.C. government is confident that we are complying with B.C.’s and Canada’s international trade obligations,” said Shirley Bond, minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and minister Responsible for Labour, late last week.
“Trade agreements such as NAFTA allow for a number of private wine outlets that sell only B.C. wine, and we are confident in the approach we have taken.”
Other recommendations that have been implemented include:
- businesses can apply for a special event permit, formerly a special occasion licence, to reduce red tape involved in organizing events and festivals;
- restaurants and bars can create unique cocktails through liquor infusions and barrel-aging, keeping up with a “cocktail culture” that has emerged in Europe, the United States and across Canada;
- licensed facilities to use space for non-alcohol-related purposes while liquor is not being served;
- caterers to store liquor off-site similar to other licensees and advertise liquor;
- manufacturers to offer patrons liquor other than what is produced on-site and offer a guided tour of their establishment without having to apply for permission to do so; and
- licensees to request that government reconsider an enforcement decision under certain circumstances to avoid a costly court hearing and choose between a monetary penalty or licence suspension for a first contravention;
- people that buy liquor on-site in a theatre can carry the drinks from the lobby to licensed seating areas when minors are present (similar to arenas and stadiums); and
- allow eateries to operate a licensed patio even if the establishment has no interior licensed areas.
- allow the tasting of a broader range of liquor products, including high-end products, before deciding whether to purchase, thanks to larger sample amounts per customer at tastings;
- permitting the purchase of liquor at festivals or competitions; and
- allowing home brewers and vintners to showcase their creations through hobby brewer and hobby vintner competitions.
Nearly 90 per cent of the Liquor Policy Review recommendations have now been implemented with the announcement Monday of the new legislation and regulations coming into effect.
- • For information about responsible alcohol use, including a blood alcohol calculator, low-risk drinking guidelines, and parenting resources: AlcoholSenseBC.ca