The Spike Pub & Liquor Store - ABLE BC

LCLB Report
by Karen Ayers
Liquor-Related Legislative Changes
Government recently passed Bill 20, which included many liquor-related
changes intended to enhance public safety, modernize our legislation, and
de-regulate aspects of the liquor hospitality industry.
Some of the changes took effect on June 3, 2010. Others will come into effect
by regulation.
The following changes that are already in effect may be of interest to you:
• Licensees may pre-mix drinks. This is meant to accommodate mixing
equipment like Bellini machines and preparing popular mixed drinks ahead
of time.
• Gaming regulations have been consolidated within the Gaming Act, and
will be regulated by the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch. However,
the LCLB will maintain restrictions on gaming where it is appropriate for the
type of licence, e.g. social occasion casinos won’t be permitted in food
primary establishments.
• All licensees may sponsor community activities and events - previously only
liquor manufacturers could sponsor events.
• LCLB may suspend or impose terms and conditions on a licence for up to 14
days, without a hearing, in extraordinary circumstances - intended only
where there are significant public safety concerns. While we expect this
power will be used very infrequently, it will be a valuable tool for protecting
public safety in those cases.
• LCLB and police may hire minors to help monitor compliance with ID
checking rules. Minors would be under supervision and not allowed to
consume alcohol. This is to address the low compliance rate among some
licensees for checking ID, given that liquor service to minors is a public safety
risk.
In addition, changes of interest to you that will require regulations before
coming into force include:
• Provision to permit ownership links between liquor manufacturers and
licensees beyond what is presently permitted to provide additional
investment and marketing opportunities for both groups.
• Provision to modernize trade practice relationships between liquor
manufacturers and licensees. The rules governing how liquor manufacturers
can promote their products within licensed establishments will be relaxed.
• Provisions for greater control over who may obtain a special occasion
licence and where the event may be held, and for holding special occasion
licence holders accountable for infractions, i.e. subject to LCLB enforcement
and penalties just like permanent licensees.
• Provision to licence agency stores, e.g. rural agency, manufacturer, and
private wine stores, and hold them to the same compliance and enforcement
rules as other private liquor retail outlets.
LCLB will consult with stakeholders on the development of these regulations
and policies before they go forward. Many of these initiatives will not be
implemented for a number of months to allow us time to consult.
A complete list of the changes to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act are on our
website at www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/lclb.
LIQUOR SERVING SIZES
The purpose of the maximum single serving size rules is to encourage moderate
consumption at all times and avoid over-serving patrons. Concerns have been
expressed that the previous serving size rules did not allow for serving a pint
of draught beer and that the basis for the different serving sizes for different
categories of liquor was unclear.
A standard drink in Canada contains 13.6 grams of ethyl alcohol, which is
approximately equivalent to one 12 oz (340ml) beer containing 5% alcohol, one
5 oz (142ml) glass of wine containing 12% alcohol, and 1.5 oz (42.6ml) of spirits
containing 40% alcohol. These revised serving sizes better reflect the alcohol
content of different types of liquor by attempting to equalize the amount of
alcohol that is contained in the different types of liquor.
Revised Serving Size Policy
The following are the maximum drink sizes, which can be served to patrons
at one time:
Distilled liquor: Drinks containing distilled liquor (spirits) must not contain
more than three fluid ounces (85ml) of distilled liquor. Drinks that two or more
patrons intend to share may be served in larger containers, but the maximum
of three fluid ounces per person must be maintained. Whole bottles of distilled
liquor must not be served or sold. (There has been no change to the serving
sizes for distilled liquor.)
6 The Publican
from LCLB Policy Directive 10-04
Draught beer: Draught beer may be served in single servings of no more than
24 oz (680ml) or smaller servings of multiple brands, provided the total served
at one time is no more than 24 oz (680ml). (A Canadian pint is 20 oz or 568ml.)
Pitchers or other multiple serving containers shared by two or more patrons
may contain no more than 1.5 litres of draught beer.
Bottled beer: A maximum of two standard-sized or one large-sized (up to 24 oz
or 680ml) bottle of beer may be served to a single patron at one time.
Wine: Wine may be served in single servings of 10 oz (285ml) or in smaller
servings of multiple brands provided the total served at one time is no more
than 10 oz (285ml). Wine may also be served by the standard 750ml bottle if
it is to be consumed by at least two people and with food. Wine may also be
served in non-refillable containers up to 1.5 litres or in refillable containers up
to 1.5 litres (with approval for the container from the Public Health Protection
Branch of the Ministry of Health), and subject to these serving size rules.
These are maximum serving sizes; licensees may continue to serve smaller
servings, which fit their existing glassware.
Further information regarding liquor control and licensing in BC is available on the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch
website at www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/lclb. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact the Liquor Control
and Licensing Branch toll free in Canada at 1-866-209-2111 or 250-387-1254 if calling from the Victoria area.